Method for decaffeinating coffee with a supercritical fluid
US4911941A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1988 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA23F5/206
- WIPO fieldFood chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of continuously decaffeinating moistened, green coffee solids with supercritical carbon dioxide. Moistened, green coffee beans are moved periodically through an extraction vessel and contacted with continuously flowing supercritical carbon dioxide which extracts caffeine from the moist, green coffee beans. Caffeine is removed from the supercritical carbon dioxide by counter-current contact with wash water in an open vessel. The caffeine-depleted supercritical carbon dioxide is recirculated back to the extraction vessel and the caffeine-bearing wash water is subjected to concentration by reverse osmosis. Acidic, substantially caffeine-free permeate is directed back to the extraction system as wash water, or to moisturize the green coffee beans prior to extraction, or both.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.