Interface module for an adsorption system

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface module. The invention further relates to an adsorption system for recovering a flavor phase from a fluid comprising flavor substances. Further aspects of the invention relate to a method for operating an interface module, to a method of operating an adsorption system, and to a low-alcohol beverage.

Description

[0001] INTERFACE MODULE FOR AN ADSORPTION SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention further relates to adsorption systems for recovering a flavor phase from fluid comprising flavor substances . Speci fically, the invention relates to an interface module for the adsorption systems .

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In numerous fields , there is an increasingly growing demand for flavor substances and flavor substance mixtures . Therein, tasting and / or aromatic substances perceptible to human are understood by a flavor substance, which are contained in practically all food items , beverages and natural substances and can be added to very dif ferent products .

[0006] In recent years , low-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks have become increasingly popular . However, these beverages often have a disadvantageous aroma profile, as in particular volatile flavor substances are generally lost during dealcoholization .

[0007] Certain improvements in aroma recovery were achieved due to the use of adsorption systems with solid-phase extraction modules that can be used to recover flavor substances from different fluids . However, solid-phase extraction modules cannot generally be used directly to recover aroma compounds from fluids from dealcoholization modules .

[0008] Improving the processing of fluids containing alcohol and a plurality of flavor substances , in particular fluids from dealcoholization modules therefore remains a long and unmet need .

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is a principal obj ect of the present invention to provide improved systems and process for the processing of fluids containing alcohol and a plurality of flavor substances , in particular fluids from dealcoholi zation modules .

[0011] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide an interface module , comprising : a . a first inlet for an input fluid; b . a determination unit in communication with the first inlet , wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the ethanol content of the input fluid; c . a second inlet ; d . a controllable mixing unit , which is configured to mix the input fluid with a diluent to obtain a product having a desirable ethanol content , and wherein the controllable mixing unit is operably engaged with the first inlet and the second inlet ; e . a control unit , in communication with at least one of : the determination unit , the first inlet , the second inlet and the controllable mixing unit ; and, f . at least one outlet ; wherein the ratio of the diluent to the input fluid is set based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid by the determination unit ; and wherein the diluent is supplied to the controllable mixing unit through the second inlet ; and wherein the ethanol content of the product having a desirable ethanol content is lower than the ethanol content of the input fluid . It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide the interface module of above , wherein the at least one outlet is operably engaged with a solid-phase extraction module .

[0012] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide the interface module of above , wherein the first inlet is operably engaged with a dealcoholi zation module .

[0013] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide an adsorption system for recovering flavor substances from an input fluid, the adsorption system comprising a . a solid-phase extraction module comprising at least one working chamber, wherein the at least one working chamber comprises at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase ; and b . the interface module of claim 1 or 2 , operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module .

[0014] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of a low alcohol beverage , wherein the low alcohol beverage comprises a plurality of flavor substances , the process comprising the steps of a . providing : i . an adsorption system comprising a solid-phase extraction module which has at least one working chamber comprising at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase , and the interface module of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the interface module is operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module , and wherein the adsorption system is configured to be operated in an adsorption mode and / or a desorption mode ; and i i . an input fluid, wherein the input fluid comprises a plurality of flavor substances and ethanol ; b . introducing the input fluid into the interface module through the first inlet ; c . mixing the input fluid with an amount of a diluent by means of the controllable mixing unit of the interface module to obtain a product , wherein the product is characteri zed by having a desired ethanol content and the plurality of flavor substances ; d . operating the adsorption system in the adsorption mode and adsorbing the plurality of flavor substances of the product to the at least one sorbent of the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module ; e . operating the adsorption system in the desorption mode and subj ecting the at least one sorbent to a fluidic desorption agent to desorb the plurality of f lavor substances from the at least one sorbent to yield a flavor phase comprising at least a part of the plurality of flavor substances of the product ; and, f . preparing the low alcohol beverage comprising the flavor phase of step e .

[0015] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a low- alcohol beverage obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage using the above interface module .

[0016] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a low- alcohol beverage obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage using the above adsorption system . It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a low- alcohol beverage prepared according to the process of any of the above .

[0017] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a low- alcohol beverage which is obtained by processing a higher- alcohol beverage using the interface module , the adsorption system, and / or the method of one or more of the above embodiments .

[0018] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIGURE 1 : presents an exemmplary embodiment of the interface of the invention ,

[0020] FIGURE 2 : presents an exemmplary embodiment of the interface of the invention, operationaly engagged with a Dialcholozation module ,

[0021] FIGURE 3 : presents an exemmplary embodiment of the interface of the invention, operationaly engagged with a Dialcholozation module and a Solid-Phase Extraction Module ,

[0022] FIGURE 4A-B : presents an exemmplary embodiment of the absorbtion of the invention, operationaly engagged with a Dialcholozation module and a Solid-Phase Extraction Module operated in adsorbtion mode (A) and desorbtion mode (B ) ,

[0023] FIGURE 5 : is a flow chart of the process of preparing a low alcohol using the absorbtion system of the invetion, and

[0024] FIGURE 6 : presents an exemmplary embodiment of the absorbtion system of the invention .

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention is now described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying examples and drawings , in which embodiments of the invention are shown . This invention may, however, be embodied in many di f ferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art .

[0027] According to sosme embodiments , the invention provides a interface module .

[0028] According to some embodiments , the above interface module comprises : a . a first inlet ; b . a determination unit in communication with the first inlet , wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the ethanol content of an input fluid; c . a second inlet ; d . a controllable mixing unit , which is configured to mix the input fluid with a diluent to obtain a product , wherein the product is characteri zed by having a desirable ethanol content , and wherein the controllable mixing unit is operably engaged with the first inlet and the second inlet ; e . at least one outlet .

[0029] According to some embodiments of the above interface , the ratio of the diluent to the input fluid is set based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid by the determination unit ; and wherein the diluent is supplied to the controllable mixing unit through the second inlet ; and

[0030] According to some embodiments of the above interface , the ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the input fluid . f . According to some embodiments , the above interface module further comprises a control unit , in communication with at least one of: the determination unit, the first inlet, the second inlet and the controllable mixing unit; and,

[0031] As used herein, the term "input fluid" refers, without limitation, to a fluid introduced to the interface module, comprising ethanol and flavor substances. In some embodiments, the impute fluid is an alcoholic beverage, alcoholic extract, or a fraction thereof. In some embodiments, the input fluid is obtained from a dealcoholization module. In some embodiments, the input fluid is an ethanolic-fraction generated by a dealcoholization module. In some embodiments, the input fluid is a starting product or obtained from a processed starting product.

[0032] In the context of the invention, the term "starting product" refers to any alcohol-containing product. Without limitation, the starting product can be an alcoholic beverage, alcoholic extract or any other product having an alcohol content.

[0033] In the context of the invention, the alcoholic beverage, alcoholic extract, or a fraction thereof is obtained, without limitation, from beer, red wine, white wine, rose wine, champagne, rice wine, fruit wine, metaxa, cider, beer, mead, ale, spirits, martini, whiskey, brandy, liquor, rum, cherry brandy, calvados, cachaca, arrack, sake, raki, midori, feigling, curacao, schnapps, cognac, armagnac, pisco, tequila, mezcal, grappa, raki, fruit spirit, shochu, soju, tiswin, toddy, tonto, tuica, ogogoro, palinka, plum jerkum, piotin, pulque, port, sherry, kvass, chicha, bijiu, medronho, pina colada, ouzo, aquavit, absinthe, gin, or any combination thereof.

[0034] As used herein, the term "operably engaged" refers, without limitation, to two or more components being connected, associated, positioned, or arranged in a manner that enables them to perform their intended cooperative function as described. The engagement may be direct or indirect (e.g., via intermediate elements) and may be mechanical, electrical, fluidic, optical, or otherwise, depending on the functional requirements of the system or device. "Operably engaged" implies that the components interact in such a way that the operational purpose or result contemplated by their combination is achievable .

[0035] As used herein, the term "flavor substances" (also referred to as aroma compounds, flavor compounds, flavorings, odorants, aroma, fragrances) refers, without limitation, to chemical compounds or substances that have a taste or odor. The flavor substances affect the sensory impression of a beverage, mainly the flavor and / or aroma.

[0036] According to some above embodiments of the invention, within the scope of the present invention, taste producing and / or aromatic substances may be understood to be flavor or flavor substances. The fluid may be present as liquid and / or gaseous under the standard conditions (25 °C / 1.013 bar ambient conditions) . The total content of flavor substances in the fluid can be between about 99 % by vol. and 0.0001 % by vol. and 1 ppb (1 ,g / kg) or less, respectively, wherein all of the ingredients of the fluid complement each other to 100 %. Percentage indications are to be understood as percents by volume within the scope of the present invention unless otherwise stated. In contrast, indications in ppm (parts per million, millionth) and ppb (parts per billion) are to be understood as mass concentration measures.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the invention, the flavor substances can be present in the fluid as dissolved, suspended and / or dispersed manner.

[0038] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the amount of the diluent is set based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid. According to some embodiments, the above interface module further comprises at least one outlet for the product.

[0039] As used herein, the term "product" refers, without limitation to, any fluid or solution produced by the interface module according to any of the above embodiments, having a desired ethanol content.

[0040] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the desirable ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the input fluid.

[0041] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "alcohol" is primarily understood to mean "ethanol". However, this term may also refer to other alcohols, for example methanol or higher alcohols, which are often also referred to as fusel alcohols.

[0042] In the context of the invention the term "alcohol strength" when used in connection with an alcoholic beverage, refers, without limitation to the "ethanol content" which is interchangeable with the term "ethanol concentration" - or specifically the ethanol concentration by volume. The above definition may be interchangeable with the terms "% vol." (which may be preceded by the word "alcohol" or an abbreviation "ale") or "alcohol by volume" or "ethanol by volume" or ABV or % ABV. ABV is commonly calculated as the volume (in milliliters) of alcohol (or ethanol) in 100 milliliters (at 20°C) .

[0043] In the context of the embodiments of the invention, the term "low alcohol" when related to beverages, can be interpreted, without limitation, as beverages having less than 1.2 ABV.

[0044] In the context of the invention the term "no alcohol" when related to beverages, can be understood, without limitation, as beverage having <0.5% ethanol by volume. Alternatively, and / or additionally, the above terms may refer, without limitation, to a subcategory of "no alcohol" or "alcohol free" beverages having

[0045] <0.04% ethanol by volume.

[0046] In the context of the invention, beverages coupled to such terms as "Low alcohol" , "al" and / or "no alcohol" are considered to have lower alcohol strength or concentration than the standard alcoholic beverages. The exact definition of the above term may vary in different territories and thus should not be considered and / or construed as limiting.

[0047] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the control unit is in communication with at least one of: the first inlet, the second inlet, the controllable mixing unit and the determination unit.

[0048] According to some embodiments, the above interface module is operably engaged with at least one fluid reservoir.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the above interface module is operably engaged with a dealcoholization module.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the above interface module is operably engaged with a solid-phase extraction module.

[0051] According to some embodiments, the above interface module can be operably engaged with the dealcoholization module via the first inlet, the second inlet or both.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the dealcoholization module is configured to separate a solution containing alcohol into a fraction comprising ethanol and one without ethanol.

[0053] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the fraction comprising ethanol further comprises flavor substances.

[0054] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the fraction comprising ethanol is the input fluid. According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the fraction without ethanol is a by-product. According to some embodiments, the by-product can be used by the system, for example, as a diluent.

[0055] As used herein, the term ''dealcoholization module'' refers to a system or unit configured to reduce the alcohol content of a liquid product. The dealcoholization module may employ any suitable method, technology, or combination thereof, including but not limited to Nanofiltration (NF) , Reverse Osmosis (RO) , Osmotic Distillation (OD) , Evaporative Perstraction (EP) , Pervaporation (PV) , Vacuum Distillation or Distillation under Vacuum (VD) , Spinning Cone Column (SCC) , multi-stage membranebased systems, or any other technologies, methods, or systems capable of achieving alcohol removal. The term also encompasses functional equivalents, modifications, or improvements thereof.

[0056] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the controllable mixing unit is operably engaged with the first inlet and the second inlet.

[0057] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the determination unit comprises a measuring device for directly measuring the ethanol content of the input fluid. As used herein, the term "measuring device" refers, without limitation, nstrument, system, or module configured to directly measure the concentration of ethanol present in an input fluid. The ethanol measuring device may employ one or more measurement techniques, including but not limited to near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography (GC) , high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) , density measurement (e.g., vibrating tube densitometers or hydrometers) , refractive index measurement, ultrasonic velocity measurement, dielectric spectroscopy, enzymatic assays, electrochemical sensors (e.g., ethanol-selective electrodes) , optical absorbance methods, mass spectrometry (MS) , biosensors specific for ethanol detection, coulometric or volumetric titration (e.g., using potassium dichromate or similar reagents) , and microfluidic analytical systems with integrated ethanol detection. The ethanol measuring device also encompasses functional equivalents, combinations, modifications, improvements, or any other technique known or developed in the art that is capable of providing a direct measurement of ethanol concentration .

[0058] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the controllable mixing unit comprises at least one outlet. According to some embodiments, the product is conducted from the controllable mixing unit through the outlet.

[0059] According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the controllable mixing unit has at least one outlet operably engaged with the inlet of a solid-phase extraction module or at least one chamber containing at least one solid phase sorbent. According to some embodiments of the above interface module, the controllable mixing unit has at least one outlet operably engaged with a unit for storing the product.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the above interface module further comprises a user interface. As used herein, the term "user interface" refers, without limitation, to any hardware, software, or combination thereof that enables a user to interact with, monitor, control, configure, or receive information from the processes and / or interface module and / or system of the invention. The user interface may include, without limitation, displays (e.g., graphical user interfaces, text-based displays, touchscreen panels) , input devices (e.g., keyboards, touchscreens, mice, buttons, voice-recognition systems) , control panels, remote terminals, mobile devices, software applications, dashboards, alerts, visual indicators, or any other means that facilitates communication with the user . The user interface may enable the input of process parameters , monitoring of operational status , initiation or termination of operations , adj ustment of process variables , reporting of performance metrics , receipt of warnings or alarms , data logging, system diagnostics , or any other function related to the operation, supervision, or control of the process and system of the invention . The term also encompasses functional equivalents , and any interface systems known or developed in the art for enabling interaction between a user and the process and system of the invention .

[0061] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the user interface comprises a system for imputing instructions and / or a display .

[0062] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the at least one outlet can then be connected to and / or operably engaged with other modules for further processing or treatment of the product . According to some embodiments , the interface module can comprise two or more outlets , configured to provide multiple embodiments of the product , or to divide the product into two or more batches , which can then be further processed di f ferently i f necessary .

[0063] According to some embodiments , the above interface module is connected fluidically to a dealcoholi zation module and solidphase extraction module and automatically performs a dilution and thus a reduction of the alcohol content of the input fluid to yield a product with lower ethanol content .

[0064] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the dilution is automatically performed based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid, the desired ethanol content of the product , and the properties of the diluent . As used herein, the term " dil uent" refers , without limitation, to any fluid or solution that is mixed with the input fluid to produce a resulting mixture ( the product ) having desired properties , such as a targeted ethanol content . The diluent may include , without limitation, water, a water-based solution, a lower-ethanol solution, or an ethanol- free solution . In certain embodiments , the diluent may be derived from the dealcoholi zation module , such as a by-product of the dealcoholi zation process . The term also encompasses functional equivalents and any suitable fluids or solutions capable of adj usting the properties of the input fluid to yield the product as required .

[0065] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the dealcoholi zation module is configured to process a starting product to yield at least one first fraction comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances of the starting product , and at least one second fraction comprising an ethanol content lower than that of the starting product . In some embodiments , the first fraction has more flavor substances than the second fraction . In some embodiments , the second fraction is considered as being " al cohol -free" (having less than 0 . 04 ABV) . In some embodiments , the input fluid comprises the at least one fraction comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances of the starting product .

[0066] According to some embodiments , the above interface module provides a solution to a technical problem, when fluids with excessively high ethanol content are not suitable to be processed by solid-phase extraction techniques , as the flavor substances cannot attach to the sorbent . The interface module according to one or more of the above embodiments automatically reduces the ethanol content of the input fluid until a desired or suitable lower alcohol content is set . According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the determination unit comprises means for obtaining information about the ethanol content of the input fluid . In the context of the invention, means for obtaining information about the ethanol content of the input fluid can be , without limitation, a network interface for data exchange , a human-machine interface for entering the value or a similar feature for obtaining information about the ethanol content of the input fluid .

[0067] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the determination unit comprises means and input options for the desired target ethanol content of the product .

[0068] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , based on the ethanol content of the input fluid, the desired ethanol content of the product , and the properties of the diluent ( such as the ethanol content ) , the interface module automatically dilutes the input fluid with the diluent until the product with the desired ethanol content is obtained .

[0069] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the product can then be directly further processed, for example by solid-phase extraction techniques or by membrane systems , or used for other purposes , such as , without limitation, for beverages or other flavored articles .

[0070] According to some embodiments , the above interface module further comprises a controllable branching unit upstream of the controllable mixing unit , by means of which at least a portion of the fluid can be conducted as a desorbing agent to at least one working chamber of a solid-phase extraction module and / or by means of which at least a portion of the fluid can be conducted to a reservoir or storage device . As used herein, the term " storage devi ce" refers to any device configured to store fluid, such as a reservoir, tank or container . As used herein, the term " controllabl e" refers , without limitation, to any system, device , component , or parameter whose operational characteristics can be actively changed, modi fied, or adj usted . Control may be ef fected by any means , including but not limited to manual intervention, automated systems , control circuits , feedback loops , or programmable controllers . As used herein, the term " controllable" may be used interchangeably with the terms " regulated" and " adj ustable" , and encompasses any functionality that allows variation or modulation of a system ' s or device ' s behavior, performance , or output , either in realtime or periodically .

[0071] According to some embodiments of the above interface , the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances is surprisingly suitable for use as a desorbing agent due to its higher ethanol content and can thus be bypassed the mixing chamber . Consequently, the plurality of flavor substances that is contained within the fluid does not bind to the sorbent material . Instead, the high ethanol content of the fluid leads to the desorption of flavor compounds that are already adsorbed on the sorbent o f the solid-phase extraction module . This can advantageously avoid the need to use an external desorbing agent .

[0072] According to some embodiments , the above interface module further comprises a controllable branching unit upstream to the controllable mixing unit , by means of which at least a portion of the input fluid can be conducted to the solid-phase extraction module or to a storage device

[0073] According to some embodiments , the above interface module further comprises a scrubber unit for wet and / or gas scrubbing .

[0074] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the scrubber unit comprises a . at least one inlet operably engaged with the dealcoholi zation module ; and b . at least one outlet operably engaged with the controllable mixing unit , wherein the at least one outlet is configured to introduce scrubbed sealing water into the controllable mixing unit .

[0075] According to some embodiments of the above interface module the scrubber unit has an inlet for an ethanolic water phase as scrubbing liquid for the wet and / or gas scrubbing and / or wherein the scrubber unit has an inlet for water as scrubbing liquid for the wet and / or gas scrubbing .

[0076] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the scrubber unit can be , without limitation, separation and recovery device to capture gases , vapors , and / or fluid .

[0077] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the scrubber unit uses a liquid such as ethanol , water or an ethanol / water mixture , to absorb flavor substances from the sealing water of the vacuum distillation device to recover f lavors / aroma compounds that have broken through the vacuum distillation . The liquid with the captured and dissolved flavors can then be used to dilute the fluid in the mixing chamber . This can increase the aroma yield on the one hand and achieve dilution of the fluid in the mixing chamber to generate the product on the other hand .

[0078] According to some embodiments of the above interface module , the scrubber unit has an inlet for an ethanolic water phase as scrubbing liquid for the wet and / or gas scrubbing and / or wherein the scrubber unit has an inlet for water as scrubbing liquid for wet and / or gas scrubbing . Such configuration may allow the scrubbing unit to be optimally adapted to the type and concentration of the flavorings to be recovered from the input fluid . According to some embodiments of the invention provides an adsorption system for recovering flavor substances from an input fluid . As used herein, the term "recovering" refers , without limitation, to the process of capturing flavor substances from an input fluid by adsorption onto an adsorbent material and subsequently releasing or extracting the flavor substances from the adsorbent material through desorption . The recovering process may include , without limitation, physical , chemical , or thermal mechanisms that enable the selective retention and subsequent release of the flavor substances . As used herein, "recovering" encompasses both complete and partial recovery of flavor substances and may involve any adsorption-desorption cycle or system capable of isolating the desired compounds from the input fluid for further use or processing .

[0079] According to some embodiments , the invention provides a low- alcohol beverage obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage using the above interface module .

[0080] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system comprising a . a solid-phase extraction ( SPE ) module comprising at least one working chamber, wherein the working chamber comprises at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase , and b . the interface module according to any of the above embodiments , operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module

[0081] As used herein, the term " solid-phase extracti on modul e" refers to a module configured for the separating, isolating, recovering, or puri fication of substances in a fluid by absorbing and desorbing some of the substances in a solution . As used herein, the term "working chamber" refers, without limitation, to an enclosure, vessel, compartment, or other defined space configured to hold a stationary phase, such as a sorbent material. The working chamber may vary in size, shape, orientation, and construction materials, and may include internal structures such as supports, screens, flow distributors, or other elements designed to optimize contact between the fluid and the stationary phase. The working chamber may operate under various conditions, including but not limited to atmospheric, elevated, or reduced pressures and / or temperatures .

[0082] As used herein, the term "sorbent" refers, without limitation to an insoluble material capable of adsorbing substances from fluid or a gas. The sorbent captures substances through surface interactions, which may involve physical adsorption, chemical adsorption, or a combination thereof. The interactions between the sorbent and the adsorbed substances may be temporary, reversible, or non-permanent . The sorbent may be provided in various forms, including but not limited to particles, beads, granules, monoliths, membranes, or structured surfaces, and may be composed of organic, inorganic, natural, synthetic, or composite materials. As used herein, the term "sorbent" encompasses functional equivalents, modifications, designed for adsorption-based processes. The term "sorbent" can be used interchangeably with the term "sorption agent".

[0083] As used herein, the term "stationary phase" refers, without limitation, to an insoluble material that is fixed, immobilized, or otherwise retained within the working chamber and is configured to adsorb substances from a fluid or gas that passes over or through it. The stationary phase provides an adsorption surface and may interact with target substances through physical or chemical adsorption mechanisms. The stationary phase may be composed of organic, inorganic, natural , synthetic, or composite materials and may take various forms , including but not limited to particles , beads , granules , monoliths , membranes , or structured surfaces . As used herein, the term " sta ti onary phase" also encompasses functional equivalents , modi fications , and future-developed materials suitable for serving as an adsorption medium in a working chamber .

[0084] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the solid-phase extraction module is configured to be operated in an absorption mode and / or a desorption mode .

[0085] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, when the solid-phase extraction module is operated in the absorption mode the fluid comprising flavor substances can be conducted through the working chamber as a mobile phase for attachment of the flavor substances to the at least one sorbent . The product conducted through the working chamber then exists via an outlet , as a de- favori zed ethanol-phase , comprising substantially fewer flavor substances .

[0086] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, when the solid-phase extraction module is operated in the desorption mode , the sorbent can be subj ected to a desorption agent to desorb the flavor substances adsorbed to the sorbent as the desorbed flavor substances .

[0087] As used herein, the term " desorpti on agent" refers to any solution or liquid that desorbs the adsorbed substances from the sorbent or solid phase . The term desorption agent can be used interchangeably with the term desorbent . The desorption agent can be water, ethanol , a diluent , an ethanolic fraction generated by the dealcoholi zation module , a low-ethanol fraction generated by the dealcoholi zation module , a high-ethanol fraction generated by the dealcoholi zation module , a by-product of the dealcoholi zation module , the input fluid, or any combination thereof .

[0088] In some embodiments , the desorption agent is applied at a temperature of >25°C . In some embodiments , the desorption agent is applied at a temperature of >50°C .

[0089] In some embodiments , the desorption agent is applied as a gas or a vapor .

[0090] The term " desorbed flavor subs tances" refers to the flavor substates desorbed from the sorbent or solid phase by the desorption agent

[0091] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system allows flavors to be recovered from originally alcoholic fluids and / or alcoholic beverages , as the interface module ensures automatic dilution until a desired and / or suf ficient alcohol concentration is reached in the product of the interface module for further processing by the solid-phase extraction module .

[0092] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system further comprises a detection unit operably engaged with the solid phase extraction module , wherein the detection unit is configured to detect the presence of flavor substances in a fluid .

[0093] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the detection unit comprises a flow meter and / or a sensor . A non-limiting list of sensors o f the invention includes a conductivity sensor, a UV-VIS sensor, or any other relevant sensor .

[0094] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system further comprises a controllable fraction collector unit .

[0095] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the controllable fraction collector unit is arranged downstream to the solid-phase extraction module . According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the controllable fraction collector unit is configured to divide the desorbed flavor substances into at least two fractions , at least three fraction, multiple fractions .

[0096] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the controllable fraction collector unit is configured to discard a methanol-containing fraction of the flavor phase .

[0097] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system further comprises a controllable branching unit upstream to the controllable mixing unit , wherein the controllable branching unit is configured to conduct at least a portion of the input fluid, a water solution, an ethanol-water solution, or any combination thereof , as the desorption agent to the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module .

[0098] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the interface module comprises a controllable branching unit upstream to the controllable mixing unit , wherein the controllable branching unit is configured to conduct at least a portion of the input fluid to a storage device .

[0099] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system comprises a mixing unit , wherein the mixing unit comprises at least two inlets and at least one outlet

[0100] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the mixing unit is further coupled to an inerti zation device configured to introduce an inert gas , into the controllable mixing unit . A non-limiting list of the inert gases of the invention includes CO2 , nitrogen, argon, or a mixture thereof .

[0101] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system is operably engaged with a dealcoholi zation module . According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the dealcoholi zation module is configured to process a starting product to yield a processed starting product , and wherein the starting product comprises ethanol and a plural ity of flavor substances , and wherein the plurality of flavor substances comprise the flavor substances of the input fluid; and to further divide the processed starting product into a first fraction comprising the input fluid, and a second fraction . In some embodiments , the second fraction is considered as being " alcohol- free" (having less than 0 . 04 ABV) . In some embodiments , the first fraction has more flavor substances than the second fraction .

[0102] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the dealcoholi zation can utili ze , without limitation, a vacuum distillation device , a Nanofiltration (NF) device , a Reverse osmosis (RO) device , a Osmotic distillation ( OD) system, an Evaporative Perstraction (EP ) device , a Pervaporation ( PV) device , a Vacuum Distillation or Distillation under Vacuum (VD) system, a Spinning cone column ( SCO ) device , or a Multi-stage membrane-based systems .

[0103] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the interface module further comprises a scrubber unit , according to one or more of the above embodiments , for wet and / or gas scrubbing .

[0104] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the above scrubber unit comprises at least one inlet operably engaged to the dealcoholi zation module , wherein the inlet is designed for receiving sealing water of the dealcoholi zation module ; and / or wherein the scrubber unit comprises at least one outlet operably connected to the controllable mixing unit of the interface module for introducing the scrubbed sealing water into the controllable mixing unit .

[0105] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the above scrubber unit is configured to use an ethanol-water solution and / or water as the scrubbing liquid .

[0106] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system the dealcoholi zation module is configured to be coupled fluidically to the second inlet of the interface module .

[0107] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, the solid-phase extraction module is operably engaged with a controllable and, further configured be operated in a washing mode .

[0108] According to some embodiments of the above adsorption system, when the adsorption system operated in the washing mode the washing module applies a washing medium to the sorbent , producing a wash permeate . A non-limiting list of the washing media includes water, ethanol , or a mixture thereof .

[0109] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system, further comprises a waste module configured to collect the wash permeate during and / or after the adsorption system operated in the washing mode .

[0110] According to some embodiments , the above adsorption system further comprises a control device for operating the adsorption system in the adsorption mode and / or the desorption mode and / or washing mode .

[0111] According to some embodiments , the invention provides a low- alcohol beverage obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage using the above adsorption system . It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a low- alcohol beverage which is obtained by processing a higher-alcohol beverage using the interface module , the adsorption system, and / or the method of one or more of the above embodiments .

[0112] According to some embodiments , the invention provides a process for the preparation of a flavor extract from a fluid containing alcohol .

[0113] According to some embodiments , the above process comprises the steps of a . providing : i . an adsorption system comprising a solid-phase extraction module which has at least one working chamber comprising at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase , and the interface module according to one or more of the above embodiments , operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module , and wherein the adsorption system is configured to be operated in an adsorption mode and / or a desorption mode ; and ii . an input fluid, wherein the input fluid comprises a plurality of flavor substances and ethanol ; b . introducing the input fluid into the interface module through the first inlet ; c . mixing the input fluid with an amount of a diluent by means of the controllable mixing unit of the interface module to obtain the product having a desired ethanol content ; d . operating the adsorption system in adsorption mode and adsorbing the plurality of flavor substances of the product to the at least one sorbent of the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction; and, e . operating the adsorption system in desorption mode and subj ecting the at least one sorbent to a fluidic desorption agent to desorb the plurality of f lavor substances from the at least one sorbent to yield a flavor phase comprising at least a part of the plurality of flavor substances of the product .

[0114] According to some embodiments of the above process , the process further comprises a step of determining the ethanol content of the input fluid .

[0115] According to some embodiments of the above process , the step of determining the ethanol content of the input fluid is conducted by the detection unit of the interface module .

[0116] According to some embodiments of the above process , the amount of diluent or ratio of diluent to input fluid, is determined based on the ethanol content of the input fluid .

[0117] According to some embodiments of the above process , the step of determining the ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality o f flavor substances is done by a detection unit operably engaged with the solid phase extraction module , wherein said detection unit is configured to detect a beginning and / or an end of the flavor phase desorbed from the solid phase extraction module .

[0118] According to some embodiments of the above process , the amount of diluent is set based on the determined ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances .

[0119] According to some embodiments of the above process , the ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances .

[0120] According to some embodiments of the above process , the adsorption system is operably engaged with a dealcoholization module, wherein said dealcoholization module is configured to obtain the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances of the input fluid.

[0121] According to some embodiments of the above process, the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances of the input fluid originates from an alcoholic beverage. A nonlimiting list of the alcoholic beverages of the invention includes beer, red wine, white wine, rose wine, champagne, rice wine, fruit wine, metaxa, cider, beer, mead, ale, spirits, martini, whiskey, brandy, liquor, rum, cherry brandy, calvados, cachaca, arrack, sake, raki, midori, feigling, curacao, schnapps, cognac, armagnac, pisco, tequila, mezcal, grappa, raki, fruit spirit, shochu, soju, tiswin, toddy, tonto, tuica, ogogoro, palinka, plum jerkum, piotin, pulque, port, sherry, kvass, chicha, bijiu, medronho, pina colada, ouzo, aquavit, absinthe, gin, or any combination thereof.

[0122] According to some embodiments, the invention provides an extract of an alcoholic beverage, obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage according to the above method.

[0123] According to some embodiments, the invention provides a process for the preparation of a low alcohol beverage.

[0124] According to some embodiments, the above process comprises the steps of a. providing: i. an adsorption system comprising a solid-phase extraction module which has at least one working chamber comprising at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase, and the interface module according to one or more of the above embodiments, operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module, and wherein the adsorption system is configured to be operated in an adsorption mode and / or a desorption mode ; and ii . an input fluid, wherein the input fluid comprises a plurality of flavor substances and ethanol ; b . introducing the input fluid into the interface module through the first inlet ; c . mixing the input fluid with an amount of a diluent by means of the controllable mixing unit of the interface module to obtain the product having a desired ethanol content ; d . operating the adsorption system in adsorption mode and adsorbing the plurality of flavor substances of the product to the at least one sorbent of the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module ; e . operating the adsorption system in desorption mode and subj ecting the at least one sorbent to a fluidic desorption agent to desorb the plurality of f lavor substances from the at least one sorbent to yield a flavor phase comprising at least a part of the plurality of flavor substances of the product ; and, f . preparing a low alcohol beverage comprising the flavor phase , of step e .

[0125] According to some embodiments , the above process further comprises a step of determining the ethanol content of the input fluid

[0126] According to some embodiments of the above process , the step of determining the ethanol content of the input fluid is conducted by the detection unit of the interface module . According to some embodiments of the above process, the amount of diluent or ratio of diluent to input fluid, is determined based on the ethanol content of the input fluid.

[0127] According to some embodiments of the above process, the step of determining the ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances is done by a detection unit operably engaged with the solid phase extraction module, wherein said detection unit is configured to detect a beginning and / or an end of the flavor phase desorbed from the solid phase extraction module.

[0128] According to some embodiments of the above process, the amount of diluent is set based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid.

[0129] According to some embodiments of the above process, the ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the input fluid.

[0130] According to some embodiments of the above process, the adsorption system is operably engaged with a dealcoholization module .

[0131] According to some embodiments of the above process the dealcoholization module is configured to yield the input fluid or a composition comprising the input fluid.

[0132] According to some embodiments of the above process, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 1.2% by vol., or less. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.5% by vol., or less. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.1% by vol., or less. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.05% by vol., or less. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.045% by vol., or less. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.04% by vol., or less. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is between 1.2% by vol., to alcohol free. According to some embodiments, the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 1.2% by vol, 1.15% by vol, 1.1% by vol., 1.05% by vol., 1.0% by vol., 0.95% by vol., 0.90% by vol., 0.85% by vol., 0.80% by vol., 0.75% by vol., 0.70% by vol., 0.65% by vol., 0.60% by vol., 0.55% by vol., 0.54% by vol., 0.53% by vol., 0.52% by vol., 0.51% by vol., 0.50% by vol., 0.49% by vol., 0.48% by vol., 0.47% by vol., 0.46% by vol., 0.45% by vol., 0.44% by vol., 0.43% by vol., 0.42% by vol., 0.41% by vol., 0.40% by vol., 0.39% by vol., 0.38% by vol., 0.37% by vol., 0.36% by vol., 0.35% by vol., 0.34% by vol., 0.33% by vol., 0.32% by vol., 0.31% by vol., 0.30% by vol., 0.29% by vol., 0.28% by vol., 0.27% by vol., 0.26% by vol., 0.25% by vol., 0.24% by vol., 0.23% by vol., 0.22% by vol., 0.21% by vol., 0.20% by vol., 0.19% by vol., 0.18% by vol., 0.17% by vol., 0.16% by vol., 0.15% by vol., 0.14% by vol., 0.13% by vol., 0.12% by vol., 0.11% by vol., 0.10% by vol., 0.095% by vol., 0.09% by vol., 0.085% by vol., 0.080% by vol., 0.075% by vol., 0.07% by vol., 0.065% by vol., 0.06% by vol., 0.055% by vol., 0.05% by vol., 0.045 % by vol., 0.044 % by vol., 0.043 % by vol., 0.042 % by vol., 0.041 % by vol., 0.040 % by vol., 0.039 % by vol., 0.038 % by vol., 0.037 % by vol., 0.036 % by vol., 0.035 % by vol., 0.034 % by vol., 0.033 % by vol., 0.032 % by vol., 0.031 % by vol., 0.030 % by vol., 0.029 % by vol., 0.028 % by vol., 0.027 % by vol., 0.026 % by vol., 0.025 % by vol., 0.024 % by vol., 0.023 % by vol., 0.022 % by vol., 0.021 % by vol., 0.020 % by vol., 0.019 % by vol., 0.018 % by vol., 0.017 % by vol., 0.016 % by vol., 0.015 % by vol., 0.014 % by vol., 0.013 % by vol., 0.012 % by vol., 0.011 % by vol., 0.010 % by vol., 0.009 % by vol., 0.008 % by vol., 0.007 % by vol., 0.006 % by vol., 0.005 % by vol., 0.004 % by vol., 0.003 % by vol., 0.002 % by vol., 0.001 % by vol. or less, or can have or can be completely ethanol-free.

[0133] According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the product is free of ethanol.

[0134] According to some embodiments of the invention, it can be provided that the input fluid contains between 0.0001 % by vol. and 99.9999 % by vol. of water. According to some embodiments, it can be provided that the fluid contains one or more alcohols alternatively or additionally to ethanol, such as for example C1-C5 alcohols, such as, without limitation, methanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol and / or tert-butanol, as well as optionally one or more higher alcohols from the group of C6-C20 or more.

[0135] According to some embodiments of the invention, the sorption agent can be composed of a single chemical compound or compound class (monovarietal) or from a mixture of two or more chemical compounds or compound classes (mixture) .

[0136] According to some embodiments of the invention, multiple sorption agents can be collectively subjected to the fluid and be collectively arranged in the same working chamber, respectively .

[0137] According to some embodiments of the invention, it can be provided that multiple sorption agents are arranged one after the other and subjected to the fluid one after the other, respectively, viewed in flow direction. Within the scope of the present invention, all of the physical and chemical types of attachments of flavoring substances to the sorption agent are basically understood by the term "sorbing", in particular adsorption and / or absorption processes. Accordingly, within the scope of the present invention, all inverse procedures are basically understood by the term "desorbing" , in which "adsorbed" flavoring substances leave the sorption agent .

[0138] According to some embodiments of the invention, the fluid conducted through the working chamber then exists via an outlet , as the permeate , comprising the remaining ethanol-water phase of the product without the flavor substances that have entirely or at least predominantly been adsorbed on the sorbent within the working chamber ( s ) . With the aid of the adsorption system according to one or more of the above embodiments , generally di f ferent flavoring substance-containing fluids can be processed .

[0139] It is another obj ect of the present invention to provide a low- alcohol beverage prepared according to the process of any of the above .

[0140] Reference is made to Figure 1 , presenting an exemplary embodiment of the interface module according to the present invention 12 . The interface module 12 comprises a first inlet 40 , configured to receive an input fluid 36 ; a determination unit 42 configured to determine the ethanol content o f the input fluid 36 ; a second inlet 56, configured to receive a diluent 46 ; , a controllable mixing unit 44 , which is configured to mix a input fluid 36 with an amount of a diluent 46, to obtain a product 48 , the product 38 characteri zed by having a desirable ethanol content . The interface module 12 further comprises an outlet 64 , configured to conduct the product 48 out of the interface module 12 . The interface module 12 further compri ses a control unit 26, wherein the control unit 26 is in communication with the determination unit 42 , the controllable mixing unit 44 , and, optionally , with one or both : the first inlet 40 and the second inlet 56.

[0141] Reference is made to Figure 2 , presenting an exemplary embodiment of the interface module according to the present invention 12 , operably engaged to a dealcoholization module 14 . The dealcoholi zation module 14 , configured to proces s an alcoholic beverage into a first fraction comprising the input fluid 36, and a second fraction . The dealcoholi zation module 14 comprises an outlet 15 , operably engaged with the first inlet 40 of the interface module 12 , to provide an input fluid 36. Optionally, the dealcoholi zation module 14 is additionally operably engaged with the second inlet 56, to provide a second fraction as a diluent 46. The interface module 12 comprises a first inlet 40 , configured to receive an input fluid 36 ; a determination unit 42 configured to determine the ethanol content of the input fluid 36 ; a second inlet 56, configured to receive a diluent 46 ; a controllable mixing unit 44 , which is configured to mix a input fluid 36 with an amount of a diluent 46, to obtain a product 48 , the product 38 characteri zed by having a desirable ethanol content . The interface module 12 further comprises an outlet 64 , configured to conduct the product 48 out of the interface module 12 . The interface module 12 further comprises a control unit 26, wherein the control unit 26 is in communication with the determination unit 42 , the controllable mixing unit 44 , and, optionally , with one or both : the first inlet 40 and the second inlet 56.

[0142] Reference is made to Figure 3 , presenting an exemplary embodiment of the interface module according to the present invention 12 , operably engaged to a dealcoholi zation module 14 and to a solidphase extraction module 16. The dealcoholi zation module 14 , configured to process an alcoholic beverage into a first fraction comprising the input fluid 36, and a second fraction . The dealcoholi zation module 14 comprises an outlet 15 , operably engaged with the first inlet 40 of the interface module 12 , to provide an input fluid 36. Optionally, the dealcoholi zation module 14 is additionally operably engaged with the second inlet 56, to provide a second fraction as a diluent 46. The interface module 12 comprises a first inlet 40 , configured to receive an input fluid 36 ; a determination unit 42 configured to determine the ethanol content of the input fluid 36 ; a second inlet 56, configured to receive a diluent 46 ; a controllable mixing unit 44 , which is configured to mix a input fluid 36 with an amount of a diluent 46, to obtain a product 48 , the product 38 characteri zed by having a desirable ethanol content . The interface module 12 further comprises an outlet 64 , configured to conduct the product 48 out of the interface module 12 . The interface module 12 further compri ses a control unit 26, wherein the control unit 26 is in communication with the determination unit 42 , the controllable mixing unit 44 , and, optionally , with one or both : the first inlet 40 and the second inlet 56. The solid-phase extraction module 16 comprises an inlet 17 , for receiving the product from the interface module , and an outlet 19 for the permeate 70 .

[0143] Reference is made to Figure 4A, presenting an exemplary embodiment of the adsorption system according to the present invention 10 , operated in adsorption mode . The adsorption system 10 , comprises an interface module 12 to a dealcoholi zation module 14 and to a solid-phase extraction module 16. The dealcoholi zation module 14 , configured to proces s an alcoholic beverage into a first fraction comprising the input fluid 36, and a second fraction . The dealcoholi zation module 14 comprises an outlet 15 , operably engaged with the first inlet 40 of the interface module 12 , to provide an input fluid 36. Optionally, the dealcoholi zation module 14 is additionally operably engaged with the second inlet 56, to provide a second fraction as a diluent 46. The interface module 12 comprises a first inlet 40 , configured to receive an input fluid 36 ; a determination unit 42 configured to determine the ethanol content of the input fluid 36 ; a second inlet 56, configured to receive a diluent 46 ; a controllable mixing unit 44 , which is configured to mix an amount of the input fluid 36 with an amount of a diluent 46, to obtain a product 48 , the product 38 characteri zed by having a desirable ethanol content . The interface module 12 further comprises an outlet 64 , configured to conduct the product 48 out of the interface module 12 . The interface module 12 further comprises a control unit 26, wherein the control unit 26 is in communication with the determination unit 42 , the controllable mixing unit 44 , and, optionally , with one or both : the first inlet 40 and the second inlet 56. The solid-phase extraction module 16 comprises an inlet 17 , for receiving the product from the interface module , and an outlet 19 for the permeate 70 , optionally being stored in a storage unit 32 .

[0144] Reference is made to Figure 4B, presenting an adsorption system according to the present invention 10 , operated in desorption mode . The adsorption system 10 , comprises an interface module 12 to a dealcoholi zation module 14 and to a solid-phase extraction module 16. The dealcoholi zation module 14 , configured to process an alcoholic beverage into a first fraction compris ing the input fluid 36, and a second fraction . The dealcoholi zation module 14 comprises an outlet 15 , operably engaged with the first inlet 40 of the interface module 12 , to provide an input fluid 36. Optionally, the dealcoholi zation module 14 is additionally operably engaged with the second inlet 56, to provide a second fraction as a diluent 46. The interface module 12 comprises a first inlet 40 , configured to receive an input fluid 36 ; a determination unit 42 configured to determine the ethanol content of the input fluid 36 ; a second inlet 56, configured to receive a diluent 46 ; a controllable mixing unit 44 , which is configured to mix an amount of the input fluid 36 with an amount of a diluent 46, to obtain a product 48 , the product 38 characteri zed by having a desirable ethanol content . The interface module 12 further comprises an outlet 64 , configured to conduct the product 48 out of the interface module 12 . The interface module 12 further compri ses a control unit 26, wherein the control unit 26 is in communication with the determination unit 42 , the controllable mixing unit 44 , and, optionally , with one or both : the first inlet 40 and the second inlet 56. The solid-phase extraction module 16 comprises an inlet 29 , for receiving the desorbent 52 from a desorbent storage unit 68 , and an outlet 29 for the flavor phase 66, optionally being stored in a storage unit 32 .

[0145] Reference is made to Figure 5 , presenting a method of obtaining a low alcohol beverage , using an absorption unit according to the present invention, comprising step of introducing the input fluid into the interface module through the first inlet 101 ; determining the ethanol content of the input fluid 102 ; introducing a diluent into the interface module through the second inlet 103 ; mixing the input fluid with an amount of a diluent by means of the controllable mixing unit 104 ; adsorbing the plurality of flavor substances of the product to the at least one sorbent of the at least one working chamber of the solidphase extraction 105 ; subj ecting the at least one sorbent to a fluidic desorption agent to desorb the plurality of flavor substances from the at least one sorbent to yield a flavor phase comprising at least a part of the plurality of flavor substances of the product 106 ; and preparing a low alcohol beverage comprising the flavor phase , having the flavor profile of the input fluid 107 .

[0146] Reference is now made to Figure 6 demonstrating an exemplary embodiment of the adsorption system of the invention . The adsorption system 10 comprising an interface module 12 which forms an independent inventive aspect . The adsorption system 10 further comprises dealcoholi zation module 14 , a solid-phase extraction module 16, a controllable mixing unit 18 for producing a beverage , inerti zation device 20 to introduce an inert gas into the mixing unit 18 , an optional controllable washing module 22 , an optional waste module 24 , an optional control device 26 for operating the adsorption system 10 , an optional detection unit 28 , an optional controllable fraction collector unit 30 , and an optional storage device 32 . The functionality of the individual elements is now explained in more detail .

[0147] Through an inlet , a starting product 34 containing ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances are introduced into the dealcoholi zation module 14 . The starting product 34 contains alcohol . It has to be stressed that all volume and alcohol content data as well as the shares of the divided fluid streams of the current embodiment are purely exemplary and may vary or be even zero in individual cases .

[0148] The dealcoholi zation module 14 divides the starting product 34 into a fluid 36 ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances and into a by-product 38 containing less ethanol and less flavor substances than the fluid 36. The by-product 38 is forwarded to the mixing unit 18 , while the fluid 36 is forwarded to the interface module 12 .

[0149] The interface module 12 comprises an inlet 40 for the fluid 36, a determination unit 42 for determining the ethanol content of the fluid 36, a controllable mixing unit 44 , which is configured to mix the fluid 36 with an amount of a diluent 46 to obtain a product 48 having a desirable ethanol content .

[0150] The interface module 12 further comprises an optional controllable branching unit 50 upstream of the mixing unit 44 , by means of which at least a portion of the fluid 36 can be conducted as a desorbent 52 to at least one working chamber of a solid-phase extraction module 16. Further, the branching unit 50 is optionally configured to conduct at least a portion of the fluid 36 to a storage device 55 . Optionally, the ethanol content of the portion that shall be used as desorbent 52 can firstly be determined or controlled by the determination unit 42 before being transmitted to the solid-phase extraction module 16.

[0151] The mixing unit 44 of the interface module 12 is configured to dilute the input fluid 36 with the diluent 46 based on the determined ethanol content of the fluid 36, the ethanol content of the diluent 46, and the desired ethanol content of the product 48 . The diluent 46 may be water, in particular deioni zed or distilled water which is introduced through the pipe 54 . Additionally, or alternatively, the interface module 12 in some embodiments comprises a scrubber unit 56. The scrubber unit 56 comprises at least one inlet 58 which is coupled fluidically to the dealcoholi zation module 14 for receiving sealing water of a vacuum distillation device 60 of the dealcoholi zation module 14 and at least one outlet 62 which is coupled fluidically to the mixing unit 44 for introducing scrubbed sealing water as the diluent 46 into the mixing unit 44 . The sealing water may in some cases comprise a certain amount of ethanol .

[0152] The diluted fluid product 48 still comprises the flavor substances and now has a reduced ethanol content . The product 48 is then trans ferred through an outlet 64 of the interface module 12 to the solid-phase extraction module 16. The solid-phase extraction module 16 includes at least one working chamber (not shown) in which at least one sorbent ( reversed phase ) is arranged as a stationary phase .

[0153] The solid-phase extraction module 16 can be operated in an absorption mode in which the fluid product 48 comprising flavor substances can be conducted through the working chamber as a mobile phase for attachment of the flavor substances to the sorbent , and in a desorption mode in which the sorbent can be subj ected to a desorption agent to desorb the flavor substances adsorbed to the sorbent to yield a fluid flavor phase 66. All working chambers form a fluid path through which the product 48 must flow that at least in the absorption mode has a length of between 2 m and 6 . 5 m, preferably between 4 . 0 m and 6 . 0 m, and a diameter of less than 1 m, in particular of less than 0 . 8 m . In other words , all working chambers are preferably flowed through serially .

[0154] In the desorption mode , all working chambers may be flowed through in the opposite direction by the desorption agent . In the case of more than one working chamber, it is also possible that several or all working chambers or cartridges can be flowed through in parallel .

[0155] As already stated, as desorption agent or desorbent 52 , a part of the fluid 36 may be used . Due to its high ethanol content , the fluid 36 - even though flavor substances are contained therein - functions as a desorption agent . This has the advantage that only the initial product ' s ( e . g . wine ) own components can be used for processing and no external compounds must be added or used . Thus , the use of flavor-substance containing fluids with high ethanol content as a desorbent for all kinds of solidphase adsorption systems has a unique inventive quality and thus forms an independent inventive aspect that can be reali zed independent of a certain embodiment or type of adsorption system .

[0156] In some embodiments , it may however be necessary or desired to use additional desorption agents . This can be achieved by an optional desorption agent storage 68, in which for example ethanol is stored and used in the needed quantities to desorb the adsorbed flavors from the sorbent . The (pure ) ethanol can in some embodiments also be used as a washing liquid to clean the sorbent .

[0157] The permeate 70 of the solid-phase extraction module 16 in the adsorption mode is the remaining ethanol-water phase of the product 48 basically without the flavor substances that have entirely or at least predominantly been adsorbed on the sorbent within the working chamber ( s ) . In the desorption mode , the permeate 70 is either the trailing of the desorption agent 52 or a washing liquid such as water, ethanol from the storage 68 or an ethanol / water mixture . Thus , the ethanol content of the permeate 70 varies depending on the used compounds and can range between 0 and approximately 96 Vol . -% , which is the maximum ethanol content that is reasonably achievable in practice due to the formation of an azeotropic mixture with water, humidity and the like . Higher ethanol contents are therefore not practicable , but also not necessary . The permeate 70 can then be trans ferred as needed to di f ferent storage devices , for example to an ethanol (EtOH) storage device 32 , to an optional temporary storage 72 and finally to an optional waste and / or disposal unit 74 . Optionally, an alcohol measurement device 76 can be provided to measure or determine the actual ethanol content of the permeate 70 .

[0158] In the desorption mode of the solid-phase extraction module 16, the flavor phase 66 that contains the desorbed flavor substances first passes the optional detection unit 28 which is configured to detect a beginning and an end of the flavor phase 66 desorbed from the solid phase extraction module 16. For this purpose , the detection unit 28 comprises a flow meter to detect the end of the flavor phase 66 based on the volume of desorbent that has been introduced into the working chamber ( s ) . To detect the beginning of the flavor phase 66, the detection unit 28 comprises a conductivity sensor (not shown) . This type of sensor is particularly sensitive to charged compounds such as carboxylic acids , which are practically the first to leave the working chamber ( s ) with the front of the desorbent 52 during desorption . The detection unit 28 can thus be used to switch the solid-phase extraction module 16 between the absorption and desorption mode and can optionally also be used to operate the solid-phase extraction module 16 in a washing mode to clean and prepare the sorbent for another run . Downstream to the detection unit 28 is an optional controllable fraction collector unit 30 that can be used to collect 2 , 3 or more fractions of the flavor phase 66. The fractions can generally have the same volume or di f ferent volumes . This can be used for example to capture and discard a fraction containing at least the largest proportion o f methanol from the starting product . This step also has an independent , unique inventive quality and can be used independently of the speci fically described absorption system 10 . This can advantageously increase the tolerability of a beverage or of other products containing one or more of the remaining fractions of the flavor phase 66 that are methanol- free or at least largely free of methanol .

[0159] The flavor phase 66 or one or more of the methanol- free fractions of the flavor phase 66 are then trans ferred to the mixing unit 18 and mixed with the by-product 38 to yield a beverage 80 that either has a low alcohol content (< 0 . 5% ) or is (basically) alcohol free (<0 . 1 % , in particular <0 . 05% ) . As already mentioned, the optional inerti zation device 20 can be used to introduce an inert gas such as CO2 , N2 , Ar or a mixture thereof into the mixing unit 18 to expel oxygen and to avoid oxidation of sensitive aroma and flavor compounds .

[0160] In the current example , the mixing unit 18 produces a beverage 80 with a desired alcohol content , such as being alcohol- free . However, the resulting alcohol- free wine 80 is fully flavored and essentially has the aroma profile of the original wine , since the flavor substances of the original wine are at least practically completely recovered ( except of course most of the original ethanol content ) while the original methanol content can in certain embodiments be at least largely removed for even better digestibil ity . As has already been stated, other ethanol- containing starting product such as beer, liquor, spirits and the like can be used analogously . Generally, the entire adsorption system 10 or parts thereof such as the interface module 12 and / or the solid-phase extraction module 16 and / or the mixing module 18 may be controlled automatically and / or semi-automatically by the control device 26. This means that the entire process or certain steps thereof can be carried out without manual intervention and therefore easily, quickly, reliably, and with minimal personnel requirements. It is understood that appropriate shut-off valves, flow control valves and the like are provided between and / or within the different modules and units for flow control, which are not shown in the schematic drawing for reasons of clarity. The valves are preferably also controlled by the control device 26.

[0161] According to some embodiments of the invention, it can be provided that the input fluid is an alcohol-containing and / or at least largely dealcoholized food item from the group of wine, wine-containing beverages, fruit wine, fruit wine-containing beverages, fruit-containing lemonades, isotonic beverages, refreshing beverages, nectars, fruit and vegetable juices and fruit and / or vegetable juice preparations, instant beverages, energy beverages (energy drinks) , alcohol-containing fruit extracts, alcohol-containing milk beverages, alcoholic essences, alcoholic extracts, alcoholic fruit beverages, anisette, aperitifs, digestives and cocktails based on liquors and wines, aquavit, arrack, perry, brandy, spirit, cognac, curacao, distilled beverages, genever, gin, honey wine, cherry brandy, corn schnapps, liqueurs, fortified wines, bitters, mead, fruit brandies, fruit wines, pearl wines, peppermint liqueur, rice alcohol, rice wine, rum, sake, sparkling wine-like beverages, schnapps, bubbly, sparkling wine, soft liquors, liquors, pomace wine, digestive liqueur, digestive schnapps, gin, brandy, whisky, vodka, fruit- and / or vegetable cider, in particular grape cider or is composed of any mixture of these food items. Alternatively, it can be provided that the fluid is an alcohol- containing food item from the group of wine, wine-containing beverages, fruit wine, fruit wine-containing beverages, fruitcontaining lemonades, isotonic beverages, refreshing beverages, nectars, fruit and vegetable juices and fruit and / or vegetable juice preparations, instant beverages, energy beverages (energy drinks) , alcohol-containing fruit extracts, alcohol-containing milk beverages, alcoholic essences, alcoholic extracts, alcoholic fruit beverages, anisette, aperitifs, digestives and cocktails based on liquors and wine, aquavit, arrack, perry, brandy, spirit, cognac, curacao, distilled beverages, genever, gin, honey wine, cherry brandy, corn schnapps, liqueurs, fortified wines, bitters, mead, fruit brandies, fruit wines, pearl wines, peppermint liqueur, rice alcohol, rice wine, rum, sake, sparkling wine-like beverages, schnapps, bubbly, sparkling wine, soft liquors, liquors, pomace wine, digestive liqueur, digestive schnapps, gin, brandy, whisky, vodka, fruit- and / or vegetable cider, in particular grape cider, or is composed of any or not any mixture of these food items. Further, it can be provided that the fluid is obtainable or obtained from a crop plant from the group of the Arecaceae or Palmae, the Rosaceae, the Betulaceae, the Poaceae and / or the Leguminosae or Fabaceae. Furthermore, the fluid can be selected from the group of the oil seeds .

[0162] According to some embodiments of the invention, the input fluid can include or be coco, almonds, rice, oat and / or hazelnut.

[0163] According to some embodiments of the invention, the input fluid can contain soya, or be soya beans, soya flour, soya bean sprouts, tofu, soya milk, soya sauce, soya oil, soya cake, biodiesel, in particular soya methyl ester, a soya extract, soya lecithin and the like. Within the scope of the present disclosure, a beverage is understood by the term "wine", which originates from fermented fruit of the grape vine and contains at least 5.0 % by vol. of alcohol. Accordingly, wine beverages with an alcohol content between 5.0 % by vol. and 0 % by vol. are understood by the term "dealcoholized" wine, wherein the reduced alcohol content can basically be achieved by dealcoholizing and / or fermentation stop or an incomplete fermentation .

[0164] According to some embodiments of the invention, the fluid can be a fluidic medium (gas phase and / or liquid phase) or a mixed phase from them. Furthermore, the fluid can be an extract from a plant. Furthermore, the fluid can be an extract from for example strawberry, apple, raspberry, orange, grapefruit, lemon, cherry, peach, banana, pear, black currant, coffee, tea, onion, garlic, leek, meat, rice, milk, tomato, mint, wine, fruit wine, mango, passion fruit, grape or other fruit or vegetable sorts. Furthermore, the fluid can include or be one or more extracts from herbs from the group of basil, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, savory, sage, lavender, mint, melissa, umbellifer, in particular anise, caraway, coriander, dill, parsley, lovage, chervil and celery and others, and leek family, in particular garlic, kurrat, chives and ramson or be obtainable or obtained from them.

[0165] Furthermore, the fluid can be selected or obtained or obtainable from the following group individually and in any combination, wherein flavoring substance-containing extracts of all plant parts like flowers, leaves, shells, barks, roots, essential oils, vaporized essential oils, fermented products bacteria- treated products, enzyme-treated products, fungi-treated (yeasts) products, naturally fermented products, products aged by storage / maturation, including all combinations, are to be regarded as also disclosed: conifers, pine family (Pinaceae) , black spruce (Picea mariana) , cat spruce (Picea glauca) , Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) , cypress family (Cupressaceae) , common juniper (Juniperus communis) , single- furrow pollen dicotyledons (Magnoliopsida) , annona family (Annonaceae) , African pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) , ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) , African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) , starvine family (Schisandraceae) , star anise (Illicium verum) , laurel family (Lauraceae) , Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) , Chinese cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) , tulipwood (Aniba rosaeodora) , clove bark (Dicypellium caryophyllaceum) , bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) , sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum) , nutmeg family (Myristicaceae) , nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans) , pepper family ( Piperacaeae ) , acuyo (Piper auritum) , pepper (Piper nigrum) , Java pepper (Piper cubeba) , long pepper (Piper longum) , Tasmanian Winteraceae, mountain pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) , monocotyledons, aroid family (Araceae) , calamus (Acorus calamus) , grassy-leaved sweet flag (Acorus gramineus) , ginger family ( Zingiberaceae ) , green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) , grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) , black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) , Thai ginger (Alpinia galanga) , mango ginger (Curcuma amada) , turmeric (Curcuma Tonga) , zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria) , cutcherry (Kaempferia galanga) , ginger (Zingiber officinale) , leek family (Alliaceae) , shallot (Allium ascalonium) , escallion (Allium fistulosum) , leek (Allium porrum) , garlic (Allium sativum) , floor onion (Allium cepa var. proliferum) , rocambole (Allium scorodoprasum) , chives (Allium schoenoprasum) , Chinese chives (Allium tuberosum) , ramson (Allium ursinum) , greenbrier family ( Smilacaceae ) , Mexican sarsaparilla (Smilax aristolochiaefolia) , sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii) , orchids (Orchidaceae) , vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) , Tahiti vanilla (Vanilla tahitensis) , Vanilla pompona, salep (various terrestrial orchid bulbs) , iris family (Iridaceae) , saffron (Crocus sativus) , grasses (Poaceae or Gramineae) , lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) , Malabar grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) , bison grass (Hierochloe odorata) , vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides ) , triple-furrow pollen dicotyledons, valerian family (Valerianaceae) , garden valerian (Valeriana officinalis) , heliotropes (Boraginaceae) , borage (Borago officinalis) , boneset (Symphytum officinale) , carrots (Apiaceae / Umbelliferae) , dill (Anethum graveolens) , Indian dill (Anethum sowa) , garden angelica (Angelica archangelica) , American angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) , garden chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) , celery (Apium graveolens var. dulce) , Bunium persicum, annual caraway (Carum carvi) , cilantro, coriander (Coriandrum sativum) , mitsuba (Cryptotaenia japonica) , cumin (Cuminum cyminum) , culantro (Eryngium foetidum) , asant (Ferula asafoetida) , fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) , sermountain, mountain caraway (Laserpitium siler) , lovage (Levisticum officinale) , baldmoney (Meum athamanticum) , sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata) , parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) , parsley ( Petroselinum crispum) , anise (Pimpinella anisum) , greater burnet-saxif rage (Pimpinella major) , burnet saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifraga) , ajowan

[0166] ( Trachyspermum ammi) , verbena family (Verbenaceae) , herb louisa (Aloysia citrodora) , Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) , amaranths (Amaranthaceae) , epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides ) , bayberry family (Myricaceae) , sweet gale (Myrica gale) , buttercup family (Ranunculaceae ) , black caraway (Nigella sativa) , love-in-a-mist (Nigella damascene) , hemp family (Cannabaceae) , hemp (Cannabis sativa) , heath family (Ericaceae) , American Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) , bean family (Fabaceae) , tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata) , sumbala (Parkia biglobosa) , tamarind (Tamarindus indica) , fenugreek (Trigonella f oenum-graecum) , bird clover (Trigonella caerulea) , caper family (Capparaceae) , caper bush (Capparis spinosa) , nasturtium family (Tropaeolaceae) , nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) , knotweed family ( Polygonaceae ) , water pepper (Persicaria hydropiper) , common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) , French sorrel (Rumex scutatus) , asters (Asteraceae) , common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) , English mace (Achillea decolorans) , English chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) , absinthium (Artemisia absinthium) , mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) , pale-leaved mugwort (Artemisia pallens) , tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus ) , appleringie (Artemisia abrotanum) , common marrigold (Calendula officinalis) , costmary (Chrysanthemum balsamita) , bitter buttons (Chrysanthemum vulgare) , Canadian fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) , curry plant, Italian strawflower (Helichrysum italicum) , elecampagne (Iluna helenium) , chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) , goldenrod (Solidago odora) , southern marigold (Tagetes minuta) , common dandelion, buttercup (Taraxacum officinale) , crucifers (Brassicaceae, formerly Cruciferae) , pepperwort (Lepidium sativum) , watercress (Nasturtium officinale) , red cole (Armoracia lapathifolia) , common scurvygrass (Cochlearia officinalis) , white mustard (Sinapis alba) , black mustard (Brassica nigra) , rocket, arugula (Eruca sativa) , wasabi (Eutrema japonica) , mint family (Lamiaceae, Labiatae) , Alpine calamint, alpine savory (Acinos alpinus, syn. : Satureja acinos) , anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) , blue licorice, Indian mint (Agastache rugosa) , Mexican hyssop (Agastache mexicana) , nindi (Aeolanthus heliotropoides and Aneoanthus pubescens) , Spanish thyme, big thyme ( Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. Syn. : Coleus amboinicus Lour. Plectranthus aromaticus Roxb . ) , stone mint (Cunila origanoides ) , common lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) , spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) , Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) , common hedgenettle, purple betony (Stachys officinalis) , artichoke betony, crosne (Stachys affinis) , wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia) , wall germander (Teucrium chamaedrys) , hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) , ground ivy, creeping Jenny (Glechoma hederacea) , mosquito plant, American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides ) , pignut (Hyptis suaveolens) , horehound (Marrubium vulgare) , Canadian mint, corn mint (Mentha arvensis) , apple mint (Mentha rotundifolia) , brook mint (Mentha spicata) , pineapple mint (Mentha rotundifolia var. variegata) , horse mint, long-leaved mint, white mint (Mentha longifolia) , peppermint

[0167] (Mentha xpiperita) , Cuban mint (Mentha nemorosa and Mentha sativa) , water mint (Mentha aquatica) , curled mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa) , bergamot mint (Mentha citrata) , cardiac mint (Mentha xgentilis) , English horse mint (Mentha villosa- nervata) , pudding grass (Mentha pulegium) , melissa, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) , crimson beebalm (Monarde didyma) , wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) , lemon mint (Monarda citriodora) , catswort (Nepeta cataria) , basil, great basil (Ocimum basilicum) , Cretan dittany (Origanum dictamnus) , fever plant (Ocimum viride) , oregano, wild oregano, wild marjoram, perennial marjoram (Origanum vulgare) , Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) , marjoram, sweet marjoram, annual marjoram (Origanum majorana, syn. : Majorana hortensis) , bible hyssop (Origanum syriacum) , egoma (Perilla frutescens) , elsholtzia ciliata, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) , savory, summer savory, peppergrass (Satureja hortensis) , winter savory (Satureja montana) , garden sage (Salvia officinalis) , meadow clary (Salvia pratensis) , clary (Salvia sclarea) , thyme, common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) , creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum) , forest thyme (Thymus mastichina) , captiate thyme (Thymbra capitata) , myrtle family (Myrtaceae) , clove, clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) , myrtle (Myrtus communis) , eucalyptus (Eucalyptus) , pimento (Pimenta dioica) , Indonesian laurel leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) , nightshades (Solanaceae) , bell pepper (Capsicum annuum) , cayenne (Capsicum annuum var. acuminatum) , Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum chinense, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum pubescens, carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) , carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus ) , portulaca family ( Portulacaceae ) , purslane (Portulaca sativa) , citrus family (Rutaceae) , brown boronia (Boronia megastigma) , combava (Citrus hystrix) , white dittany (Dictamnus albus) , common rue (Ruta graveolens) , Szechuan pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum) , dried lime (bartender's lime, Citrus aurantifolia) , curry tree (Bergera koenigii) , bedstraw family (Rubiaceae) , cleaver (Galium verum) , woodruff (Galium odoratum) , rose family (Rosaceae) , Scots rose (Rosa spinossima) , Damascus rose (Rosa damascene) , Gallic rose (Rosa gallica) , briar rose (Rosa canina) , hedgerow rose, rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) , many-flowered rose (Rosa multiflora) , musk rose (Rosa moschata) , sweetbriar rose (Rosa eglanteria) , cabbage rose (Rosa centifolia) , great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) , salad burnet or small burnet (Sanguisorba minor) , fern-leaf dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris) , meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) , oxalis family (Oxalidaceae) , violet-wood sorrel (Oxalis violacea) , common wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) , sesame family ( Pedaliaceae ) , sesame (Sesamum indicum) , geranium family (Geraniaceae) , rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) , cashews (Anacardiaceae ) , Brazilian pepper, pink pepper, rose pepper, christmasberry (Schinus terebinthifolius ) , Peruvian mastic tree, pink pepper, rose pepper, California pepper tree (Schinus molle) , sumac (Rhus coriaria) , pansy family (Violaceae) , common violet (Viola odorata) , plantain family ( Plantaginaceae ) , Rau Om Limnophila aromatica, vegetable greens, salads, garden salad (Lactuca sativa L.) (asters) , lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. capitata L.) , leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. crispa L.) , romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia L.) , asparagus lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. angustana) , iceberg lettuce, blue sailors (Cichorium intybus L.) (asters) , chicory (Cichorium intybus var. foliosum) (sorts: sugar loaf, radicchio) , endive (Cichorium endivia L.) , rucola, rocket (Diplotaxis tenuifolia or Eruca sativa) (crucifers) , chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) (beet family) , spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) (beet family) , Chinese spinach (Ipomoea aquatica FORSSK.) (morning glory family) , arrach (Atriplex hortensis L.) (beet family) , watercress (Nasturtium officinale R.BR.) (crucifers) , purslane (Portulaca ssp. sative (HAW.) CEL.) (purslane family) , Indian lettuce (=miner's lettuce, winter purslane, Claytonia perfoliata DONN. EX WILLD) (purslane family) , Malabar spinach, creeping spinach (Basella alba) , New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides ) , Jambu (Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. JANSEN) (asters) , burlap leaves (Corchorus olitorius L.) (mallow family) , iceplant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) (carpet weeds) , day lilies, e.g. the tawny day lily (Hemerocallis fulva L.) (day lily family) , beetberry (Chenopodium capitatum (L.) ASCH.) (beet family) , Good King Henry (Chenopodium bonus-henricus L.) (beet family) , garden patience (Rumex) (knotweed family) , see also salad plant, cabbage, cabbage (Brassica) (crucifers) , Mediterranean cabbage (B. fruticulosa) , brown mustard or called Indian mustard or also leaf mustard (B. juncea) , rape and turnip (B. napus) , turnip, rutabaga (B. napus subsp. rapifera MTZG.) , rape (B. napus subsp. napus L.) , cut cabbage (B. napus subsp. pabularia) , black mustard (B. nigra (L.) KOCH) , wild cabbage (B. oleracea L.) , cauliflower (B. oleracea var. botrytis L.) , Romanesco (B. oleracea convar. botrytis var. botrytis L.) , broccoli (B. oleracea var. italica Plenck) , kohlrabi (B. oleracea var. gongylodes L.) , cabbage (B. oleracea convar. capitata L.) , red cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. rubra L.) , white cabbage (Brassica oleracea convar. capitata var. alba L.) , pointed cabbage, savoy, savoy cabbage (B. oleracea convar. capitata var. sabauda L.) , Brussel sprout (B. oleracea var. gemmifera DC.) , colewort, "kale" (B. oleracea var. sabellica L.) , palm kale (Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia DC.) , marrow-stem kale (B. oleracea var. medullosa Thell.) , canola (B. rapa L.) , oil canola (B. rapa subsp. oleifera) , Chinese cabbage (B. rapa subsp. pekinensis) , pak choi (B. rapa subsp. chinensis) , may turnip, autumn turnip, wild turnip, Teltow turnip, Bavarian turnip (B. rapa subsp. rapa) , rapini (as pure leaf vegetables) , flower vegetables, globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) (asters) , zucchini (Curcubita pepo subsp. pepo convar. giromontiina) (cucurbit family) , cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) , broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck) , romanesco (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. botrytis) , lilies (Lilium L.) (lily family) , dahlias (Dahlia CAV. ) (asters) , caper (Capparis spinosa) (crucifers) , fruit vegetables, family Cucurbitaceae, sub-family Cucurbitoideae, Citrullus, watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (THUNB.) MATSUM. & NAKAI.) , cucumber (Cucumis L.) , rockmelon (Cucumis melo L.) , kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus E.MEY. EX NAUDIN) , cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) (gherkin) , pumpkins and zucchini (Cucurbita) , to be supplemented, marrow, zucchini, spaghetti squash (C. pepo L.) , winter squash or hokkaido pumpkin (C. maxima) , calabaza pumpkin (C. moschata) , Asian pumpkin (C. ficifolia) , bitter melon (Momordica L.) , calabashes (Lagenaria siceraria (MOLINA) STANDL.) , smooth luffa (Luffa MILL.) , Sechium, chayote = christophene, (Sechium edule (JACQ.) SW.) , tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) (nightshades) , jamberry (Physalis philadelphica) (nightshades) , paprika, hot pepper, chili (Capsicum L.) (nightshades) , amaranth (Amaranthus L.) (amaranths) , aubergine (Solanum melongena) , avocado (Persea americana MILL.) (laurel family) , okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) MOENCH.) (mallow family) , breadfruit (Artocarpus altitis (PARKINS. EX DU ROI) FOSB . CORR. ST.JOHN) (mulberry family) , root vegetables, tuber vegetables, carrot, eastern carrot (Daucus carota L. ssp. sativus) (carrot family) , beetroot, beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) , brassica, rutabaga, turnip (Brassica napus subsp. rapifera) , Brassica rapa, may turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa var. majalis) , Teltow turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa var. pygmaea) , horseraddish (Armoracia rusticana GAERTN.MEY. & SCHERB.) , radishes (Raphanus sativus L. subsp. sativus) , daikon (Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus ) , black Spanish radish (Raphanus sativus subsp. niger var. niger) , wasabi (Wasabia japonica MATSUM.) (crucifers) , potato (Solatium tuberosum L.) (nightshades) , black salsify (Scorzonera hispanica L.) (asters) , parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) (carrot family) , hamburg parsley ( Petroselinum crispum subsp. tuberosum) , celery (Apium graveolens) , bulbous chervil or parsnip chervil (Chaerophyllum bulbosum L.) , lotus root (Nelumbo) , yams (Dioscorea. L. ' ) (yam family) , sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) (morning glory family) , sunroot (Helianthus tuberosus) (asters) , bulb vegetables, allium (leek family) , onion (A. cepa L.) , escallion, scallion, (A. fistulosum L.) , garlic (A. sativum L.) , shallot (A. ascalonicum STRAND.) , kurrat, leek (A. porrum L.) , pearl onion (Allium porrum var. sectivum) , ramson (Allium ursinum) , legumes, see also particularly. : bean (plant) , Phaseolus, lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) , butter bean, tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. GRAY) , fire bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) , haricot bean, common bean, bush bean, pole bean, (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) , sorts: kidney bean, peaberry, pinto bean, pinto, black bean, Brazil, white bean, Ahrtaler Kdksje, soya bean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) , pea (Pisum) , split pea (Pisum sativum L. convar. sativum) , also split peas, wrinkled pea (Pisum sativum L. convar. medullare Alef. emend. C.O. Lehm) , sugar pea (Pisum sativum L. convar. axiphium Alef emend. C.O. Lehm) , also snow peas, or snap peas (sugar snap) , huge pea (Pisum granda sneida L. convar. sneidulo p. shneiderium) , medic (Medicago L.) , common lucerne, lucerne (M. sativa L.) , chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) , lentils, (Lens) , (Lens culinaris Medik.) , lupines (Lupinus L.) , vetches (Vicia L.) , bell bean, broad bean, bell bean (Vicia faba L.) , vetchlings (Lathyrus L.) , chuckling vetch (Lathyrus sativus L.) , earthnut pea (Lathyrus tuberosus L.) , Vigna, material bean, (Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechai) , aduki bean, (Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi) , urid (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) , mungbean, (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) , "soyabean sprouts", Bambara groundnut, (Vigna subterrane (L.) Verde.) , rice bean, (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi) , Vigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich., Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. in the tree sub-types: winged pea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis ) , cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata) , catjang (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica) , pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) , Macrotyloma, geocarpa groundnut, (Macrotyloma geocarpum (Harms) Marechai & Baudet) , horse bean, (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verde.) , goa bean, ( Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) , bulbous bean ( Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Harms) , hyacinth bean, Egyptian bean, Indian bean, (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet) , cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.) Taub.) , Canavalia, chickasaw, (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) , sword bean, (Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC.) , batis (Batis L.) (crucifers) , Chinese water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) , marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.) (mallow family) , fennel (Foeniculum vulgare (L.) Mill.) (parsley family) , garden asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) (asparagus family) , rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) (Polygonaceae) , Japanese rhubarb (Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Deer.) (knotweed family) , coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) (carrot family) , quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) (beet family) , Swedish turnip (Brassica napus) see rutabaga, water mimosa (Neptunia oleracea Lour.) (mimosa family) , manioc, mandioca, cassava or yuca in Latin America (Manihot esculenta Crantz) (spurge family) , New Zealand yam, oca or yam (Oxalis tuberosa) (oxalis family) , ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus) (basella family) , mashua, also bulbous nasturtium (Tropaeolum tuberosum) (nasturtium family) , Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius ) (asters) , bamboo sprouts, palm hearts, sprout vegetables, fruit and berries, acerola, amanatsu, American pokeweed, pineapple, pine strawberry, Annona senegalensis , apple, chokeberry (Aronia) , apricot, atemoya, avocado, babaco, banana, barberry, bergamot, blueberry, pear, Brazilian guava (feijoa) , brambleberry, green plum, camu camu, cherimoya, clementine, coccoloba (seagrape) , cranberry, date, durian, arbutus fruit, strawberry, fig, juneberry, galia melon, gandaria, go j i berry, pomegranate, grapefruit, mamey sapote, guanabana, guava, rosehip, raspberry, elder, rockmelon, Hong Kong kumquat, hyuganatsu, ilama, jackfruit, Japanese raisin, Java apple, genipapo, carob, jostaberry, jujube, persimmon, cactus pear, golden berry, cassia, cherry, cherry plum, kiwano, kiwi, fruit of the ceriman, cornel cherry, blue huckleberry, kumquat, lansi, lime, lychee, longan, lulo, mahonia, mamey apple, mandarin, mango, mangosteen, white mulberry, fig-mulberry, mirabelle, medlar, cloudberry, Myrica rubra, nara, nashi, nectarine, loquat, wild sweetsop, netted melon, noni, orange, olive, pawpaw, papaya, passion fruit (yellow granadilla, maracuya) , passion fruit (purple granadilla, maracuya) , pepino, pitahaya (yellow) , pitahaya (red) , peach, plum, pomelo, bitter orange, cowberry, quince, rambutan, greengage, red currant, salak, seabuckthorn, santol, sapodilla, satsuma, morello, sloe, stone apple, black currant, black mulberry, black sapote, whitty pear, gooseberry, stone bramble, star apple, star fruit, Surinam cherry, sweet granadilla, tamarillo, tamarind, ugli, rowan berry, wild strawberry, water melon, grape, white currant, miracle berry, lemon, sweetsop, prune, wild plum (yellow) , tobacco (Nicotiana) , a plant type from the family of the stafftree family (Celastraceae) , in particular khat plant (Catha edulis) , a plant type from the family of the palm family (Arecaceae) , in particular areca nut palm (Areca catechu) , wine, milk products (yoghurt, kefir, cheese) , kombucha, coffe, cacao, tea, soya. Acid- or lye-treated products, e.g. cacao, grain products, animal products of terrestrial animals, in particular meat, fat, bones, bone marrow, giblets, milk, milk products, eggs and / or of freshwater or seawater animals like fish, crustaceans, mussels, water snails, squids, calamari, shrimps, crabs, rock lobsters, roe, caviar and lobsters.

[0168] Furthermore, the fluid can include plant material (e.g. lignin, polyphenols) brought into solution and / or suspension. Furthermore, the fluid can include or be a gas from drying (spray dryer, freeze dryer, belt dryer, roller dryer) , concentration, roasting (drum roaster, belt roaster, fluidized bed roasting) , defoaming, gassing or degassing of liquids, deodorization (e.g. plate evaporator, downflow evaporator, water vapor distillation, steaming, vacuum steaming) . Furthermore, the fluid can originate from the gas scrubbing, exhaust air from production plants (fermenters, fermentation, conching, juicing, filling plants) , room air from production plants, gardening shop, plant breeding enterprise and the like. Furthermore, the fluid can include or be a water phase from a freeze dryer and / or a condensate after evaporation or gassing or drying.

[0169] Basically, the sorption agent can be selected from the group of ion exchangers, normal phases, polar bound phases and reversed phases or be any mixture thereof, in particular polyaromatic compounds, polystyrenes, poly (meth) acrylates , polypropylenes, polyesters, polytetraf luoroethy-lene und cross-linked polystyrenes, in particular copolymers of ethylvinylbenzene and divinyl-benzene, provided from vinylpyrrolidone and divinylbenzene, from vinylpyridine and divinylben-zene and / or from styrene and divinylbenzene. Reversed phase materials are generally preferred. An advantageous sorption characteristic is also achieved by the use of sorption agents, which include monomers with functional groups. Thus, sulfonic acid groups, ternary (e.g. methacrylic diethylamine) and quaternary ammonium groups (e.g. phenyltrimethylammonium) , amides (e.g. benzamides) , amines and halogen-modified aromatic compounds, heterocyclic compounds like 3-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, 2-pyrroline, 3- pyrroline, pyrrole and / or piperazine, as well as halogenated aliphatic side chains have particularly proved themselves. Gelatinous polymers can also be employed. Basically, modified polyacrylates can also be used, in particular those, which include the following monomers: acrylic acid, acrylonitrile and alkyl acrylates such as for example methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, 2-chloroethyl vinyl ether, 2- ethylhexyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate and butyl methacrylate. Alternatively or additionally, there are CMS sorbents (CMS: carbon molecular sieve) , which are formed from the pyrolysis of polymeric precursors and have a highly porous carbon structure themselves. SGPC sorbents (SGPC: spherical graphitized polymer carbon) and GCB sorbents are also employable (GCB: graphitized carbon black) . Alternatives are polymers based on 2 , 6-diphenylene oxide, e.g. poly ( 2 , 6-diphenyl- p-phenylene oxide) , or those with iminodiacetate functionality. The sorption agent or agents can for example be employed as bulk material and thereby corresponding sorbent beds can be built up in the working chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the sorption agent can be monolithically present in the working chamber and thus be traversed.

[0170] The working chamber, which can also be referred to as a cartridge and in which at least one sorption agent is arranged as a stationary phase, can be subjected to the ethanol and flavor substance-containing fluid which can then be conducted through the working chamber as a mobile phase for attaching the flavor or flavoring substances. In some aspects of the invention, it is provided that the length of the working chamber is between 0,5 m and 20 m, in particular between 2 m and 10 m and in particular between 2,5 m and 6,5 m, for example between 4 m and 6 m. It is also possible that two, three, four or more working chambers are used which can be flowed through serially and thus form a fluid path of the indicated length. Conversely, it may be provided that the two or more chambers can be traversed in parallel, at least in at least in certain operating modes of the adsorption system, in particular in a desorption or washing mode. In some embodiments, correspondingly switchable valves can be provided in the flow direction upstream and / or downstream and / or between the working chambers, to adjust the fluid path as necessary. In preferred embodiments, the working chamber is "long and thin" in contrast to "short and thick". This means that a ratio of average cross-sectional thickness to total length of the at least one working chamber is at most 0.3. In other words, it is provided according to the invention that the adsorption system comprises at least one working chamber, in which the sorption agent or agents, which are to be traversed by the flavoring substancecontaining fluid, can be arranged. Therein, a geometry of the at least one working chamber is selected such that the ratio of average cross-sectional thickness to total length of the working chamber or chambers is at most 0.3. Therein, ratios of average cross-sectional thickness to total length of for example 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, 0.06, 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01, 0.009, 0.008, 0.007, 0.006, 0.005, 0.004, 0.003, 0.002, 0.001, 1.0 * 10~4, 1.0 * 10~5or less are to be understood by a ratio of at most 0.3, wherein corresponding intermediate values are basically to be regarded as also disclosed. Hereby, a comparatively narrow or thin sorbent bed as long as possible is provided, whereby it becomes possible to adsorb both polar and non-polar flavoring substances on the sorption agent as uniformly as possible depending on the binding characteristic of the respectively used sorption agent or agents and the flavoring substance molecules located in the fluid. Accordingly, with the aid of the adsorption system, it is possible to produce particularly authentic flavoring substance concentrates, that is flavoring substance concentrates, in which all of the flavoring substances present in the original fluid are present at least predominantly or substantially uni formly accumulated in low-loss manner . Furthermore , very high accumulation factors are achievable with the aid of the adsorption system according to the invention .

[0171] In an advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the interface module comprises a controllable branching unit upstream of the mixing unit , which is configured to conduct at least a portion of the fluid as a desorbent to the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module and / or which is configured to conduct at least a portion o f the product to a storage device . As the inventors have discovered, the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances is surprisingly suitable for use as a desorbent due to its higher ethanol content and can thus be bypassed the mixing chamber . Consequently, the plurality of flavor substances that is contained within the fluid does not bind to the sorbent material . Instead, the high ethanol content of the fluid leads to the desorption of flavor compounds that are already adsorbed on the sorbent of the solid-phase extraction module . This can advantageously avoid the need to use an external desorbent . In that at least a portion of the fluid can be conducted to a storage device , excess product can be stored temporarily or disposed of permanently or put to another use .

[0172] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the adsorption system further comprises a detection unit which is configured to detect a beginning and / or an end of the flavor phase desorbed from the solid phase extraction module . This allows the process to be controlled or regulated particularly reliably and to switch automatically based on the detection result of the detection unit between the di f ferent operating modes of the adsorption system . In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the detection unit comprises a flow meter and / or a sensor arranged downstream o f the solid phase extraction module , in particular a conductivity sensor . A flow meter allows a particularly simple comparison between the amount of liquid introduced into the at least one working chamber and the amount discharged from the at least one working chamber . This makes it particularly easy to determine the end of a desorption cycle . A good compliance with uni form flow conditions ( i . e . adj usting the flow conditions in response to changing flow resistance and pressure ) is also advantageous . A conductivity sensor has proven to be particularly advantageous for determining the start of desorption, as charged compounds such as deprotonated carboxylic acids desorb particularly early and therefore practically run along with the desorbent front .

[0173] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the adsorption system further comprises a controllable fraction collector unit which is arranged downstream of the solid-phase extraction module and which is configured to divide the desorbed flavor phase into at least two fractions , preferably into at least three fractions , the fraction collector unit preferably being designed to discard a methanol-containing fraction of the flavor phase . In addition to methanol separation, which is particularly advantageous for beverages , this also makes it possible to separate the desorbed flavor phase ( eluate ) into di f ferent fractions with di fferent aroma profiles .

[0174] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the adsorption system further comprises a controllable mixing module for producing a beverage , the mixing module having a first inlet for at least part of the flavor phase and a second inlet for a beverage base product and being designed to mix the flavor phase and the beverage base product in a desired ratio to yield the beverage . This allows the fluids mentioned to be mixed fully automatically to create a beverage with the desired flavor profile and ethanol content .

[0175] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the mixing module is coupled to an inerti zation device by means of which an inert gas , in particular CO2 , nitrogen, argon or a mixture thereof , can be introduced into the mixing module in order to reduce the atmospheric oxygen content within the mixing module . By reducing the atmospheric oxygen content within the mixing module , undesirable oxidation of sensitive flavorings can be avoided particularly reliably and the storage period within the mixing module can be increased .

[0176] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the adsorption system further comprises a dealcoholi zation module by means of which a starting product containing ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances can be divided into the fluid containing ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances and into a by-product containing less ethanol and less flavor substances than the fluid containing ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances . The dealcoholi zation module can for example be a distillery, a membrane system, a spinning cone system or the like . This allows the starting product to be divided into at least two streams with di f ferent properties , which can then be further processed accordingly .

[0177] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the dealcoholization module comprises a vacuum distillation device and wherein the interface module has a scrubber unit for wet and / or gas scrubbing, the scrubber unit comprising at least one inlet which can be coupled fluidically to the dealcoholi zation module for receiving sealing water of the vacuum distillation device and / or at least one outlet which can be coupled fluidically to the mixing unit of the interface module for introducing the scrubbed sealing water into the mixing unit . In particular, this allows the recovery of flavorings that have broken through during the distillation process and have been collected in a cold trap, for example .

[0178] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the scrubber unit is configured to use an ethanolic water phase , i . e . a liquid phase that comprises water and ethanol , as a scrubbing liquid for the scrubbing and / or wherein the scrubber unit is configured to use water as the scrubbing liquid . On the one hand, this allows the recovery to be adapted to the properties of the flavoring substances , and on the other hand, the alcohol content of the scrubbing liquid can be adj usted in order to use the scrubbing liquid in the interface module for dilution .

[0179] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the dealcoholization module is configured to be coupled fluidically to the second inlet of the mixing module in order to conduct the by-product to the mixing module as the beverage base product . In this way, the by-product of dealcoholi zation can be used advantageously for beverage production .

[0180] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the solid-phase extraction module is configured to be coupled to a controllable washing module and can be operated in a washing mode in which the washing module applies a washing medium, in particular water, ethanol or a mixture thereof , to the sorbent . This can be advantageously used to rinse the sorbent and prepare the adsorption system for a new run .

[0181] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the adsorption system further comprises a waste module into which wash permeate from the solid-phase extraction module can be fed during and / or after the washing mode of the washing module . This allows wash permeate that is no longer required to be removed and prepared for collection or disposal .

[0182] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the adsorption system further comprises a control device for operating the adsorption system in the adsorption mode and / or in the desorption mode . This allows the system to be operated partially or fully automatically . Preferably, the system has a corresponding number of controllable and / or adj ustable valves that can be actuated by a motor depending on the respective operating mode . The control device can be a local component of the adsorption system and / or connected for example via a wireless or wired network . The control device can have a suitable human-machine interface for selecting the desired function and / or for monitoring the adsorption system status .

[0183] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating an interface module of the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps introducing the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances through the inlet into the controllable mixing unit , determining, by means of the determination unit , the ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances , and mixing, by means of the controllable mixing unit , the fluid comprising ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances with an amount of a diluent to obtain a product having a desirable ethanol content , wherein the amount of the diluent is set based on the determined ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances , and wherein the desirable ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the fluid comprising ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances .

[0184] In an advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances originates from a dealcoholization module. The fluid preferably corresponds to the alcohol-rich phase that is produced during dealcoholization of an alcohol-containing starting product such as wine, beer, liquor or the like. The dealcoholized phase of dealcoholization can be used for other purposes, for example for mixing into a non-alcoholic or low- alcohol beverage.

[0185] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the fluid comprising ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances has an ethanol content of at least 50 Vol.-% or of at least 60 Vol.-% or of at least 70 Vol.-% or of at least 80 Vol.-% or more. In other words, the ethanol content of the fluid may be 50 Vol.-%, 51 Vol.-%, 52 Vol.-%, 53 Vol.-%, 54 Vol.- %, 55 Vol.-%, 56 Vol.-%, 57 Vol.-%, 58 Vol.-%, 59 Vol.-%, 60 Vol.-%, 61 Vol.-%, 62 Vol.-%, 63 Vol.-%, 64 Vol.-%, 65 Vol.-%, 66 Vol.-%, 67 Vol.-%, 68 Vol.-%, 69 Vol.-%, 70 Vol.-%, 71 Vol.- %, 72 Vol.-%, 73 Vol.-%, 74 Vol.-%, 75 Vol.-%, 76 Vol.-%, 77 Vol.-%, 78 Vol.-%, 79 Vol.-%, 80 Vol.-%, 81 Vol.-%, 82 Vol.-%, 83 Vol.-%, 84 Vol.-%, 85 Vol.-%, 86 Vol.-%, 87 Vol.-%, 88 Vol.- %, 89 Vol.-%, 90 Vol.-% or more. The higher the ethanol content, the more subsequent processing steps benefit from dilution of the fluid to the product using the interface module.

[0186] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that an ethanol content of the product is at most 50 Vol.-% or at most 45 Vol.-% or at most 40 Vol.-% or at most 20 Vol.-% or at most 15 Vol.-% or at most 12 Vol.-% or less. In other words, the ethanol content of the product that has been produced by means of the interface module from the fluid, is 50 Vol.-%, 49 Vol.-%, 48 Vol.-%, 47 Vol.-%, 46 Vol.-%, 45 Vol.-%, 44 Vol.-%, 43 Vol.-%, 42 Vol.-%, 41 Vol.-%, 40 Vol.-%, 39 Vol.- %, 38 Vol.-%, 37 Vol.-%, 36 Vol.-%, 35 Vol.-%, 34 Vol.-%, 33 Vol.-%, 32 Vol.-%, 31 Vol.-%, 30 Vol.-%, 29 Vol.-%, 28 Vol.-%, 27 Vol.-%, 26 Vol.-%, 25 Vol.-%, 24 Vol.-%, 23 Vol.-%, 22 Vol.- %, 21 Vol.-%, 20 Vol.-%, 19 Vol.-%, 18 Vol.-%, 17 Vol.-%, 16 Vol.-%, 15 Vol.-%, 14 Vol.-%, 13 Vol.-%, 12 Vol.-%, 11 Vol.-%, 10 Vol.-% or less. With such a reduced ethanol content, the product can be further processed without any problems, in particular using a solid-phase extraction module or a membrane system. Alternatively, the product may be directly used to mix a beverage or to produce another flavored drink or article.

[0187] A particularly precise setting of the product's desired ethanol content is made possible in a further embodiment by the fact that water and / or an ethanolic water phase is used as the diluent .

[0188] For the most complete possible recovery of all contained flavor substances, it is provided in a further embodiment that the product is conducted into at least one working chamber of the adsorption system of the second aspect of the invention.

[0189] A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating an adsorption system according to the second aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of providing the fluid containing ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances, introducing the fluid through the inlet of the interface module, determining the ethanol content of the fluid by means of the determination unit, mixing the fluid by means of the controllable mixing unit of the interface module with the diluent depending on the determined ethanol content to form the product having the desired ethanol content, wherein the product has a lower ethanol content than the fluid, conducting the product to the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module through the outlet of the mixing unit, operating the adsorption system in the absorption mode and conducting the product through the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module as a mobile phase for attachment of flavor substances to the sorbent , and operating the adsorption system in the desorption mode and subj ecting the sorbent to a fluidic desorption agent to desorb the flavor substances from the sorbent as the flavor phase . The resulting advantages can be gathered from the descriptions of the second aspect of the invention .

[0190] In an advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the fluid containing ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances has an ethanol content of at least 50 Vol . -% , in particular of at least 60 Vol . -% and preferably of at least 70 Vol . -% , and / or wherein the product has an ethanol content of at most 50 Vol . -% , in particular of at most 40 Vol . -% and preferably of at most 15 Vol . -% . This enables optimal processing of the fluid and / or of the product .

[0191] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that by means of the branching device of the interface module at least a portion of the fluid containing ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances is conducted as the desorbent to the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module and / or wherein by means of the branching device at least a portion of the fluid containing ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances is conducted to a storage device . This means that the fluid or parts thereof can be used advantageously as a desorbent , so that no external desorbent is required . This means , for example , that dealcoholi zed beverages can be produced without the involvement of non-beverage fluids . Alternatively or additionally, at least one part of the fluid can be stored in the storage device . This allows excess parts of the fluid to be removed from the process and stored or disposed of . Alternatively, the separated part of the fluid can later be returned to the process or used for other purposes .

[0192] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that by means of a detection module a beginning and an end of the flavor phase desorbed from the solid phase extraction module is determined . This enables particularly precise and ef ficient process control .

[0193] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the desorption mode of the adsorption system is terminated depending on the detected end of the flavor phase . This enables a precise switching of the adsorption system between its absorption and desorption mode and also avoids unnecessary dilution .

[0194] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the desorbed flavor phase is divided into at least two fractions , preferably into at least three fractions , by means of a fraction collector module , wherein the fraction collector module preferably discards a methanol-containing fraction of the flavor phase . In addition to the advantageous possibility of separating methanol , batches with a customi zed aroma profile can also be reali zed particularly easily .

[0195] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that a beverage is produced by means of a mixing module , wherein the mixing module mixes the flavor phase and a beverage base product in a predeterminable ratio to yield the beverage . Preferably, the beverage base product is the product of dealcoholi zation, so that a particularly aromatic but low- alcohol or even alcohol- free beverage can be mixed in this way .

[0196] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the mixing module is coupled to an inerti zation device by means of which an inert gas , in particular CO2 , nitrogen, argon or an arbitrary mixture thereof , is introduced into the mixing module in order to reduce the oxygen content of the atmosphere within the mixing module . This enables intensive mixing and longer intermediate storage within the mixing module without undesirable oxidation of sensitive flavors . In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that by means of the dealcoholi zation module a starting product containing ethanol and flavor substances is divided into the fluid containing ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances and into a by-product containing less ethanol and less aromatic substances than the fluid containing ethanol and the plurality of flavor substances . This makes it particularly easy to produce an alcohol-reduced or even alcohol- free beverage from the starting product while the by-product may be used for recovering flavors , for dilution purposes or for other applications . The starting product may preferably be a beverage such as for example wine , beer, liquor or the like . However, the starting product may also be an ethanol containing extract , for example of a plant . An exemplary list of possible starting products is given in connection with the first aspect of the invention .

[0197] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the dealcoholization module comprises a vacuum distillation device and wherein the interface module has a scrubber unit for wet and / or gas scrubbing, wherein at least one inlet of the scrubber unit is coupled fluidically to the dealcoholi zation module for receiving sealing water of the vacuum distillation device and wherein at least one outlet of the scrubber unit is coupled fluidically to the mixing unit of the interface module for introducing the scrubbed sealing water as the diluent into the mixing device . This enables an at least largely complete recovery of volatile aromas in particular .

[0198] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the dealcoholi zation module is coupled fluidically to the second inlet of the mixing module and conducts the byproduct to the mixing module as the beverage base product . This makes it particularly easy to use the alcohol-reduced or even at least basically alcohol- free by-product as base for a beverage that can then be mixed with other components such as a flavor phase for creating a certain aroma profile .

[0199] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that after the desorption mode the solid-phase extraction module is operated in a washing mode in which a washing module applies a washing medium, in particular with water, ethanol or a mixture thereof , the sorbent . This allows the solid-phase extraction module to be prepared for a new pass with the same or with a di f ferent fluid . In addition, any aromatic substances remaining on the sorbent can still be rinsed out and recovered i f necessary .

[0200] In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that a wash permeate from the solid-phase extraction module is fed to a waste module during and / or after the washing mode of the washing module . This allows the washing liquid to be easily removed from the adsorption system .

[0201] A fi fth aspect of the invention relates to a low-alcohol beverage which is obtained by processing a higher-alcohol beverage using the interface module of the first aspect of the invention and / or the adsorption system of the second aspect of the invention and / or the method of the third aspect of the invention and / or the method of the fourth aspect of the invention . The resulting features and their advantages can be gathered from the descriptions of the respective aspects of the invention .

[0202] In an advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the low-alcohol beverage has an ethanol content of at most 0 . 5 Vol . -% , in particular of at most 0 . 3 Vol . -% , preferably of at most 0 . 1 Vol . -% or less . This makes it possible to provide di f ferent types of beverages with an advantageously low alcohol content . In a further advantageous configuration of the invention, it is provided that the low-alcohol beverage is obtained by processing a higher-alcohol beverage selected from wine , beer, brandy, schnapps , spirits , cocktails , liquors , alcohol-containing fruit extracts , champagne , fruit wine , natural sparkling wines , fruit sparkling wines , grape wine , pomace wine , and wine-containing beverages .

[0203] Further features of the invention are apparent from the claims , the figures and the description of figures . The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and / or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively speci fied combination, but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention . Thus , implementations are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention, which are not explicitly shown in the figures and explained, but arise from and can be generated by separated feature combinations from the explained implementations . Implementations and feature combinations are also to be considered as disclosed, which thus do not comprise all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim . Moreover, implementations and feature combinations are to be considered as disclosed, in particular by the implementations set out above and below, which extend beyond the feature combinations set out in the relations of the claims or deviate from these feature combinations . The only figure shows a schematic diagram of an adsorption system comprising an interface module according to the invention .

[0204] To illustrate the aroma balance of the process , a test wine (Muller Thurgau, 12 Vol . -% ) was processed in the manner described . The intermediate and end products or phases were analyzed for the flavor substances listed in Table 1 . The chosen flavor substances, which are indicated together with their respective CAS number, are typical ingredients and highly relevant for the overall aroma impression of the tested wine.

[0205] Table 1 : Aroma balance

[0206] Starting Starting By¬

[0207] Fluid product 34 product 34 product Beverage 80

[0208] 36 (1st analysis) (2nd analysis) 38

[0209] Ethyl Acetate;

[0210] 856 850 0 0 603 71%

[0211] 141 - 78 - 6

[0212] Isobutanol;

[0213] 1105 1102 0 241 366 33% 78-83-1

[0214] 1-Butanol, 3-methyl-;

[0215] 2069 2067 0 491 1576 76% 123-51-3

[0216] 1-Butanol, 2-methyl- ;

[0217] 480 481 0 105 380 79%

[0218] 137 - 32 - 6

[0219] 1-Hexanol; 111-27-3

[0220] Isoamylacetate;

[0221] 11 13 0 0 12 103%

[0222] 123 - 92 - 2

[0223] Hexanoic acid, ethyl ester;

[0224] 4 4 0 0 4 104%

[0225] 123 - 66 - 0

[0226] 2-Phenylethanol;

[0227] 377 382 222 166 296 78%

[0228] 60-12-8

[0229] As one can gather from this table, all flavor substances with the exception of isobutanol were recovered with yields of more than 70 % up to 100 %. Thus, the non-alcoholic beverage 80 (i. e. the alcohol-free wine) has an aroma profile that is extremely close to that of the original starting wine, without the addition of any additional or external flavorings, i. e. without "spiking" the alcohol-free wine 80 with artificial or natural aroma compounds that do not stem from the starting product 34 itself.

[0230] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0231] It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and claims and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and / or clarity.

[0232] In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

[0233] As used herein the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to".

[0234] The term "consisting of" means "including and limited to".

[0235] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof .

[0236] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all possible combinations or one or more of the associated listed items, as well as the lack of combinations when interpreted in the alternative ("or") . It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on, " "attached" to, "connected" to, "coupled" with, "contacting," etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with and / or contacting the other element or intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, "directly on, " "directly attached" to, "directly connected" to, "directly coupled" with or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature can have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature .

[0237] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer and / or section, from another element, component, region, layer and / or section .

[0238] Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format.

[0239] It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0240] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging / ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging / ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

[0241] Whenever the term "about" is used, it is meant to refer to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, and is meant to encompass variations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods.

[0242] Whenever terms "plurality" and "a plurality" are used it is meant to include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". The terms "plurality" or "a plurality" may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. The term set when used herein may include one or more items. Unless explicitly stated, the method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Additionally, some of the described method embodiments or elements thereof can occur or be performed simultaneously, at the same point in time, or concurrently .

[0243] As used herein the term "method" refers to manners, means, techniques and procedures for accomplishing a given task including, but not limited to, those manners, means, techniques and procedures either known to, or readily developed from known manners , means , techniques and procedures by practitioners of the chemical , biological , biochemical , and veterinary arts .

[0244] Certain features of the invention, which are , for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments , may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment . Conversely, various features of the invention, which are , for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment , may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention . Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments , unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements .

[0245] All publications , patent applications , patents , and other references mentioned . The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains . In case of conflict , the patent speci fication, including definitions , will prevail . In addition, the materials , methods , and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting . Throughout this application various publications , published patent applications and published patents are referenced .

[0246] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove . Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modi fications thereof , which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description . While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modi fications , substitutions , changes , and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art . It is , therefore , to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modi fications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention . Various embodiments have been presented . Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not speci fically described may include various features described herein .

[0247] Certain features of the invention, which are , for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments , may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment . Conversely, various features of the invention, which are , for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment , may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention . Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments , unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements .

Claims

CLAIMS1. An interface module, comprising: a. a first inlet; b. a determination unit in communication with the first inlet, wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the ethanol content of an input fluid; c. a second inlet; d. a controllable mixing unit, which is configured to mix the input fluid with a diluent to obtain a product, wherein the product is characterized by having a desirable ethanol content, and wherein the controllable mixing unit is operably engaged with the first inlet and the second inlet; e. optionally, a control unit, in communication with at least one of: the determination unit, the first inlet, the second inlet and the controllable mixing unit; and, f. at least one outlet; wherein the ratio of the diluent to the input fluid is set based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid by the determination unit; and wherein the diluent is supplied to the controllable mixing unit through the second inlet; and wherein the ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the input fluid.

2. The interface module of claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet is operably engaged with a solid-phase extraction module .

3. The interface module of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the f irst inlet is operably engaged with a dealcoholi zation module .

4. The interface module of any one of claims 1-3 , wherein the determination unit comprises a measuring device for directly measuring the ethanol content of the input fluid . The interface module of any one of claims 2 to 4 , further comprising a controllable branching unit upstream to the controllable mixing unit , by means of which at least a portion of the input fluid can be conducted to the solidphase extraction module or to a storage device . The interface module of claim 3 , further comprising a scrubber unit for wet and / or gas scrubbing, the scrubber unit comprising a . at least one inlet operably engaged with the dealcoholi zation module ; and b . at least one outlet operably engaged with the controllable mixing unit , wherein the at least one outlet is configured to introduce scrubbed sealing water into the controllable mixing unit . The interface module of any one of claims 1 - 6, further comprising a user interface . An adsorption system for recovering flavor substances from an input fluid, the adsorption system comprising a . a solid-phase extraction module comprising at least one working chamber, wherein the at least one working chamber comprises at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase ; andb . the interface module of claim 1 or 2 , operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module .

9. The adsorption system of claim 8 , wherein the solid-phase extraction module is configured to be operated in an absorption mode and / or a desorption mode , wherein when the solid-phase extraction module is operated in the absorption mode a fluid comprising flavor substances can be conducted through the working chamber as a mobile phase for attachment of the flavor substances to the at least one sorbent , and, wherein when the solid-phase extraction module is operated in the desorption mode , the at least one sorbent can be subj ected to a desorption agent to desorb the flavor substances adsorbed to the sorbent as desorbed flavor substances .

10. The adsorption system of claim 8 or 9 , comprising a mixing unit , wherein the mixing unit comprises at least two inlets and at least one outlet .

11. The adsorption system of claim 10 , wherein the interface module comprises a controllable branching unit upstream to the controllable mixing unit , wherein the controllable branching unit is configured to conduct at least a portion of the input fluid, a water solution, an ethanol-water solution, or any combination thereof , as the desorption agent to the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module .

12. The adsorption system of claim 10 , wherein the interface module comprises a controllable branching unit upstream to the controllable mixing unit , wherein the controllable branching unit is configured to conduct at least a portion of the input fluid to a storage device .

13. The adsorption system of claim 8 or 9 , wherein the solidphase extraction module comprises at least two inlets .

14. The adsorption system of claim 8 or 9 , wherein the solidphase extraction module comprises at least two outlets .

15. The adsorption system of any one of claims 8 to 14 , further comprising a controllable fraction collector unit arranged downstream to the solid-phase extraction module , wherein the controllable fraction collector unit is configured to divide desorbed flavor substances into at least two fractions .

16. The adsorption system of claim 15 , wherein the controllable fraction collector unit is configured to divide desorbed flavor substances into at least three fractions .

17. The adsorption system of claim 15 or 16 , wherein the controllable fraction collector unit is configured to discard a methanol-containing fraction from the desorbed flavor substances .

18. The adsorption system of any one of claims 8 to 17 , wherein the adsorption system is operably engaged with a dealcoholi zation module , wherein the dealcoholi zation module is configured to process a starting product to yield a processed starting product , and wherein the starting product comprises ethanol and a plurality of flavor substances , and wherein the plurality of flavor substances comprise the flavor substances of the input fluid; and to further divide the processed starting product into a first fraction comprising the input fluid, and a second fraction .

19. The adsorption system of claim 17 or 18 , wherein the interface module further comprises a scrubber unit for wet and / or gas scrubbing .

20. The adsorption system of claim 19 , wherein the scrubber unit comprises at least one inlet operably engaged to the dealcoholi zation module , wherein the inlet is designed for receiving sealing water of the dealcoholi zation module ; and / or wherein the scrubber unit comprises at least one outlet operably connected to the controllable mixing unit of the interface module for introducing the scrubbed sealing water into the controllable mixing unit .

21. The adsorption system of claim 20 , wherein the scrubber unit is configured to use an ethanol-water solution as a scrubbing liquid and / or wherein the scrubber unit is configured to use water as the scrubbing liquid .

22. The adsorption system of any one of claims 8 to 21 , wherein the solid-phase extraction module is operably engaged with a controllable washing module , and wherein the solid-phase extraction module is further configured be operated in a washing mode , and wherein when the solid-phase extraction module operated in the washing mode the washing module applies a washing medium to the sorbent , producing a wash permeate .

23. The adsorption system of claim 22 , wherein the washing medium is selected from the group consisting of water-based solution, an ethanol-based solution, and a mixture thereof .

24. The adsorption system of claim 22 or 23 , further comprising a waste module configured to collect the wash permeate during and / or after the adsorption system operated in the washing mode25. A process for the preparation of a low alcohol beverage , wherein the low alcohol beverage comprises a plurality of flavor substances , the comprising the steps ofa . providing : i . an adsorption system comprising a solid-phase extraction module which has at least one working chamber comprising at least one sorbent arranged as a stationary phase , and the interface module of claim 1 or 2 , wherein the interface module is operably engaged with the solid-phase extraction module , and wherein the adsorption system is configured to be operated in an adsorption mode and / or a desorption mode ; and ii . an input fluid, wherein the input fluid comprises a plurality of flavor substances and ethanol ; b . introducing the input fluid into the interface module through the first inlet ; c . mixing the input fluid with an amount of a diluent by means of the controllable mixing unit of the interface module to obtain a product , wherein the product is characteri zed by having a desired ethanol content and the plurality of flavor substances ; d . operating the adsorption system in the adsorption mode and adsorbing the plurality of flavor substances of the product to the at least one sorbent of the at least one working chamber of the solid-phase extraction module ; e . operating the adsorption system in the desorption mode and subj ecting the at least one sorbent to a fluidic desorption agent to desorb the plurality of flavor substances from the at least one sorbent to yield a flavor phase comprising at least a part of the plurality of flavor substances of the product ; and,f . preparing the low alcohol beverage comprising the flavor phase of step e .

26. The process of claim 25 , further comprising the step of determining the ethanol content of the input fluid .

27. The process of claim 26 , wherein the step of determining the ethanol content of the input fluid is done by the detection unit of the interface module .

28. The process of claim 27 , wherein the amount of the diluent is set based on the determined ethanol content of the input fluid .

29. The process of any one of claims 25 to 28 , wherein the ethanol content of the product is lower than the ethanol content of the input fluid .

30. The process of any one of claims 25 to 29 , wherein the adsorption system is operably engaged with a dealcoholi zation module , wherein the dealcoholi zation module is configured to yield the input fluid or a composition comprising the input fluid .

31. The process of any one of claims 25 to 30 , wherein the input fluid originates from an alcoholic beverage .

32. The process of any one of claims 25 to 31 , wherein the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 1 . 2 % ethanol by volume or less .

33. The process of any one of claims 25 to 32 , wherein the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0 . 5% ethanol by volume or less .

34. The process of any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.1% ethanol by volume or less.

35. The process of any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.05% ethanol by volume or less.

36. The process of any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein the alcohol content of the low alcohol beverage is 0.04% ethanol by volume or less.

37. The process of claim 31, wherein the alcoholic beverage is selected from the group consisting of beer, red wine, white wine, rose wine, champagne, rice wine, fruit wine, metaxa, cider, beer, mead, ale, spirits, martini, whiskey, brandy, liquor, rum, cherry brandy, calvados, cachaca, arrack, sake, raki, midori, feigling, curacao, schnapps, cognac, armagnac, pisco, tequila, mezcal, grappa, raki, fruit spirit, shochu, soju, tiswin, toddy, tonto, tuica, ogogoro, palinka, plum jerkum, piotin, pulque, port, sherry, kvass, chicha, bijiu, medronho, pina colada, ouzo, aquavit, absinthe, gin, or any combination thereof.

38. A low-alcohol beverage obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage using the interface module of any one of claims 1 to 5.

39. A low-alcohol beverage obtained by processing an alcoholic beverage using the adsorption system of any one of claims 8 to 24.

40. A low-alcohol beverage prepared according to the process of any one of claims 25 to 37.

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