Separate recovery of caffeine and coffee solids adsorbed on activated carbon

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of separately recovering caffeine and non-caffeine solids adsorbed on activated carbon. Activated carbon containing the adsorbed solids is contacted with an aqueous basic solution to elute the non-caffeine coffee solids. The two components are separated. The activated carbon is subsequently contacted with a concentrated aqueous acidic solution to elute the relatively pure caffeine. The two components are separated. The non-caffeine solids in the basic solution may be re-adsorbed onto the activated carbon. Essentially pure caffeine may be refined from the aqueous acidic solution.