Process for decaffeinating coffee

US4322445A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Siegfried Peter · Erlangen, DE
• Gerd Brunner · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 14, 1978
• Grant date: Mar 30, 1982
• Expiry date: Aug 14, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A23F5/206
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention involves a process for the decaffeination of coffee, wherein--usually moistened--coffee is exposed to a circulating medium essentially composed of a compressed gas and an entrainer; this medium is subjected to partial condensation of the caffeine containing entrainer, in the absence of decompression; the caffeine is recovered from the condensate by evaporation of the entrainer portion thereof, and the medium is recycled to the coffee for continued extraction of caffeine therefrom.