Production of low-ethanol beverages by membrane extraction
US4778688A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 11, 1985 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12H3/04
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Low-ethanol wines and other alcoholic beverages are produced by treating ordinary alcoholic beverages with novel membrane extraction methods. Semipermeable membranes and extraction fluids comprised either of a non-toxic, water-immiscible organic solvent or an aqueous solution of a low-molecular-weight but membrane-impermeable solute are used under mild conditions to selectively extract ethanol from alcoholic beverages, while leaving substantially intact the complement of other organic constituents that contribute to the color, aroma, and taste of the beverage. The methods disclosed may be adapted to continuous processing of alcohol-containing beverages, in which an ethanol-rich product is continuously recovered from the organic or aqueous extraction fluid and the latter is continuously regenerated and subsequently recycled to the membrane extraction unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.