The extraction according to Twisselmann is a continuous hot extraction. It works much like the Soxhlet extraction. However, the temperature in the Twisselmann extractor in the sample is very hot, i. close to the boiling point of the solvent. This improves the solubility and shortens the extraction time.
The higher extraction temperature results from simultaneously flowing the condensed solvent from above and the rising, hot solvent vapor from below through the extraction sleeve and mix there. The temperature of this mixture is much higher than that of the condensed solvent.
Compared with Soxhlet extraction, Twisselmann extraction reduces extraction time by up to 50%