| 摘要 |
<p>DECAFFEINATION PROCESS The object of the invention is to improve the process for decaffeinating green coffee beans with carbon dioxide in both the liquid and supercritical states. Prior art procedures for decaffeinating green coffee beans with carbon dioxide are costly. When extraction of dry beans is attempted, the times required to provide practical degrees of extraction are prohibitive. And, while moistening the beans improves efficiency, the process remains very costly. The process described herein improves the decaffeination of both wet and dry beans with a liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide extractant by dissolving dimethyl sulfoxide in the extractant prior to contact with the beans. Rates of extraction are greatly improved, especially in the preferred mode where the dimethyl sulfoxide is employed at near saturation levels.</p> |
