Patent · US Expired

Production of low-ethanol beverage by membrane extraction

US5013436A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
2References
22Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 19, 1989
Grant dateMay 7, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 19, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D2313/90
  • 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.