Microwave enhanced extraction of wool wax from solid wool scour wastes Original Research Article

A microwave enhanced extraction method for the separation of wool wax from scour wastes has been developed. Samples analysed have been obtained from industrial wool scour processes. Microwave parameters (irradiation time and power applied), and other parameters (solvent used, number of samples per extraction, sample weight, solvent volume and effect of water addition) have been studied in order to obtain the greatest recovery in the shortest time. It was found that microwave extraction for this kind of sample gives efficiencies the same as that achieved by classical Soxhlet system. The time of analysis is reduced from 4 h to 8 min compared with the Soxhlet extraction systems and the amount of solvent decreased from 125 to 10 ml.