摘要 |
<p>The recovery of caffeine from activated carbon is accomplished according to the present invention by employing a liquid, food-grade caffeine solvent which comprises an organic acid or alcohol, and which is capable of competing for the active sites on the carbon occupied by the caffeine to displace at least a portion of the caffeine which is then dissolved in the solvent. After the desired period of contact, the caffeine is separated from the solvent. The solvent will preferably comprise glacial acetic acid or an acetic acid azeotrope, and contact will preferably be at a temperature above 100 DEG C.</p> |