Process for making and using a low beverage soluble iron content adsorbent and composition made thereby

Abstract

An adsorbent removes certain undesirable components from beverages, such as beer, and has a low beverage soluble iron (BSI) content. These undesirable components include contaminants which cause chill haze. The adsorbent includes two components, a silica component and a polyphosphate sequestering agent component, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). The process for using the adsorbent involves first contacting a beverage with an adsorbent to adsorb at least a portion of the undesirable components then separating the adsorbent from the beverage. The adsorbent may be formed by one of two methods or a combination of both. The first method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to a reactant, such as a sodium or potassium silicate solution, prior to or during the gelation stage. A second method involves adding the polyphosphate sequestering agent to the water wash after a hydrogel is formed. The BSI of the adsorbent is substantially reduced using the first method, but the total iron content of the adsorbent appears to increase. The second method decreases both the BSI and the total iron content of the silica gel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.