PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR DECAFFEINATING LIQUID, ESPECIALLY AQUEOUS RAW COFFEE EXTRACTS

摘要

A b s t r a c t : The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for decaffeinating liquid, especially aqueous raw coffee extracts. The caffeine selective adsorbing agent is preferably a molecular sieve, especially zeolite. This adsorbing agent is preferably arranged as a fixed bed in a column through which the raw coffee extract can be passed for decaffeination and through which subsequently at least one regenerating substance for regenerating the adsorbing agent for re-use can be passed. Preferably a plurality of such columns is inter-connected to a closed circuit, so that in a cyclic succession these columns can be connected to the adsorption process or the regeneration process. The columns can remain stationary in this process. The adsorbed caffeine is desorbed and, as a by-product, can be used for other purposes.