Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using novel nanofiltration (NF) membranes for decaffeination of coffee wherein caffeine present in the feed solution is recovered at the permeate of the membrane. The NF hollow fiber membranes were fabricated and tested with model solutions to evaluate the recovery of caffeine as functions of molecular weight/size of organic molecules, caffeine concentration, and feed temperature. The results show that the recovery of caffeine and the permeate flux decrease with an increase in molecular weight/size of the organic molecules and the caffeine concentration in the feed. On the other hand, both recovery and flux increase with increasing feed temperature. Decaffeination of coffee is subsequently demonstrated at 55 °C using a roasted coffee solution wherein a 25% reduction of caffeine is achieved with a volume reduction factor of ∼1.2.
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