- Kerosene is perfect, there is no better substitute
- After the coca leaves are moistened with water/carbonate, leave them sitting for 30mins
- pack the percolator tight 1kg fits a 5lt water bottle nicely.
- add kerosene on top (a measured amount about 600-750ml per perculation, 2 litres total should be enough) and wait for it to percolate from the other side (it should take some between 10 and 15 minutes
- when it starts percolating, close the bottom and keep adding on top until kero covers the leaves
- after some analysis SWIM realised that 3-4hours - and right up to, if needed, 24hours of soaking for the 1st exatraction is enough time.
- after the first 3/4 hours elapses, then percolate the kerosene, remembering to add new one on top. You can leave it much longer if needed (upto 24hours)
- Stop percolating when you obtain as much as you measured out earlier.(600-750ml) If you use more kerosene than advised, dont worry, thats fine.
- close the percolator again and fill it up as ealier with new kerosene
- After another hour or so, do the same last passages on the other kerosene that sits in the percolator recovering the final amounts.
- exatract the green kerosene normally with 5% H2SO4 by pouring into the extracted kerosene, sealing bottle and shaking for around half an hr in 5 min bursts with a few mins rest. leave to settle and seperate. Ensure no emulsions form, if they do, leave alone to stand for it to dissapear.
- If you notice you yield is low, re extract the kerosene with sulfuric acid as done in the previous step above.
- precipitate base using ammonia 10% or procede to oxidise.
