Device for solvent extraction in a microwave field

The invention relates to apparatus for extracting solvents in a microwave field, having a microwave oven ( 11 ) which comprises at least one microwave generator ( 12 ), a control unit ( 13 ) and at least one microwaving chamber ( 14 ), said chamber being fitted with venting apertures ( 23 ) and at least one suction exhaust aperture ( 24 ) which is connected by an exhaust air line ( 25 ) to a source of partial vacuum ( 26 ), further comprising a rotor ( 16 ) rotatably mounted in said chamber and fitted with several specimen receptacles ( 18 ) that may be loaded with solvent. The apparatus is characterized in that a flow detector ( 28 ) is mounted downstream of the suction exhaust aperture ( 24 ), said detector reducing or preferably shutting off the power output of the microwave generator ( 12 ) when detecting a flow of air which is less than a predetermined limit value, said airflow limit value being selected in a manner precluding forming an explosive mixture of solvent and air in said chamber. Preferably the specimen receptacles ( 18 ) are designed as pressure-resistant receptacles advantageously fitted with throttled overpressure valves ( 35 ).