Effects Of The Freeze/Thaw

Our thoughts So Far

When performed as suggested, the x3 freeze/thaw cycle appears to shift more of the yield to the first pull for powdered bark, and therefore is considered potentially advantageous in aiding the acidification process for powdered bark at least when compared to an equivalent time standing at room temperature
Cleaner spice appears to be produced from the first pull, and is therefore considered a benefit.
It appears that time spent at the thawed stage at room temperature also contributes to the acidification effectiveness, current evidence suggests that a normal room temperature (around 20°C) should be maintained at the thaw and allowing the thawed acidified bark to sit at this for several hours before the next freeze.
More tests will be needed, especially with various grades of shredded bark. It's possible that simply standing in acid might be preferable to freeze/thaws with some types.

Test 1: Powdered Root Side-by-side test Summary by ML 20th May 2022

Test Conditions

2 x 100g finely powdered Brazilian root from same batch
DPTek1 as of May 2022 with 20°C quick pulls
One acidified bark sample x3 freeze/thaw cycle over 3 days, the other sample left standing at room temp for 4 days

Results

First pull of the “non-freeze-cycle” bark was about 25% down on the expected yield of the “x3 freeze-cycle” bark, but was entirely restored by increased yields from the second and third pulls. Overall yield was nearly identical from both samples.

Conclusions

There was no overall increase in yield from the freeze/thaw from this test, and conclusions are unclear
From the freeze/thaw sample, a higher proportion of the yield was extracted from the first pull. This could be considered advantantageous because of the preference for whiter Purity Flakes with less goo and experience so far has shown that purer flakes are produced from 1st pulls. Purity appears to degrade slightly in subsequent pulls.
Notwithstanding the above, a note was made concerning the apparent high purity of the non freeze/thaw bark. Therefore more tests are required to establish whether the freeze/thaw cycle increases impurities compare to non-freeze/thaw, at any given pull temperature.

Test 2: Report on Freeze/Thaw Effectiveness on Finely Shredded Root

Many thanks to Peter89 - Jan 31st 2023

Three 100g samples from the same batch of root used as with the dptek1 as follows

On the first, three freeze/thaw cycles were achieved in 24h, total yield was 1.25g.
For the second, the acidified root was allowed to stand undisturbed for 5 days at room temperature, yield was 1.75g
On the third batch, a couple of freeze thaws were performed over 5 days, yield was again 1.75g.

All weights are without re-x ing.

Potential Variables

The first attempt was using a smaller bottle and therefore less volume of naphtha, second two were in a 2l erlenmeyer and nps as suggested.

Conclusions

This suggests that for finely shredded root, allowing the root extended time in contact with the acid has a potentially far greater effect on overall yield than freeze/thaw cycles - but since the x3 freeze/thaws was performed in 24h, little time would have been spent at thaw. Also, since the pulls from each extraction were all combined in one container, we have no info regarding whether concentration of the yield was moved more to the earlier pulls or first pull.

Test 3: Powdered Root Side-by-side test Summary by PaxAnimi 10th December 2023

Three side-by-side test batches, all with the following:

90 g finely powdered MHRB
200 ml vinegar
1L water
90 g lye
180 g salt
Three pulls, 1st with 150 ml naphtha and followed by adding 100 ml to both next pulls.

1 batch just sitting in room temp (around 18 degrees) for three days, while another batch has 3 freeze cycles. No need to add extra vinegar.

Results

(A = freeze/thaw, B=3 day room temp standing)

First Test - Pull Yields (mg)

A) 0,720 + 0,135 + 0,149 = 1,004

B) 0,303 + 0.614 + 0,164 = 1,081

Second Test - Pull Yields (mg)

A) 0,795 + 0,252 + 0,022 = 1,069

B) 0,328 + 0,682 + 0,154 = 1,164

Third Test - Pull Yields(mg)

A) 0,749 + 0,262 + 0,011 = 1,022

B) 0,317 + 0,663 + 0,188 = 1,168

Conclusions

In the freeze/thaw, 1st batch seems to be larger and third pull becomes almost unnecessary.
Yield seemed to be (if anything) a little bit bigger with non frozen material but poss the margin of error since a tiny bit of naphtha is always left behind + other tiny variables like scraping etc.
No difference in end product that I could tell… both ways I get very nice white crystals. No goo etc.