Patent · US Expired

Production of low-ethanol beverage by membrane extraction

US4933198A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
31References
33Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 1989
Grant dateJun 12, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 12, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12H3/04
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Low-ethanol wines, beer, distilled spirits, and other alcoholic beverages are produced by treating ordinary alcoholic beverages with novel membrane extraction methods. Semipermeable membranes and gas-phase extraction fluids are employed to selectively extract ethanol into the gas-phase, while leaving substantially intact the complement of other organic constituents that contribute to the color, aroma, and taste of the beverage. Methods are provided for balancing the water activity of the gas-phase extraction fluid about equal to that in the beverage, so as to inhibit water transport across the membrane independent of the ethanol/water selectivity of the membrane.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.