Process for the continuous clarification of fresh fruit juice

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for the clarification of juices and other similar beverages such as wine, beer, cider, etc. . . . which comprises a flotation stage. All known clarification processes used in the commercial production of beverages are discontinuous in that they rely on a sedimentation stage and/or require the use of expensive centrifugal equipment which require regular cleaning and maintenance. The use of the invention allows the commercial clarification of beverages without the necessity of going through a sedimentation stage or the use of centrifugal equipment. The process comprises three essential stages, i.e.: the formation of a flotable floc in the untreated beverage, the continuous introduction of the coagulated beverage in a flotation vessel, the flotation of the floc by microbubbles formed in the beverage and the continuous removal of the clarified beverage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.