RO-FO Beverage Dewatering for Lower Draw Solution Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dewatering alcoholic beverages, such as beer and cider, result in high draw solution loads and require large FO units, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity in the dewatering process.
Innovation Solution
A combination of reverse osmosis (RO) and forward osmosis (FO) systems is used to progressively increase the alcohol by volume (ABV) of alcoholic beverages, starting from 5% to 14% to 24% to 46%, reducing the FO draw solution load and equipment size by over 80% and simplifying the draw solution recycling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If forward osmosis (FO) system is used to dewater alcoholic beverages, then water content is significantly reduced producing ultra-high gravity product, but draw solution load and equipment size increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The dewatering process is divided into two distinct stages: first reverse osmosis to concentrate the beverage to very-high gravity (16-22% ABV), then forward osmosis to achieve ultra-high gravity (24-46% ABV). This segmentation allows each process to operate optimally at different concentration levels, reducing the overall draw solution load and equipment requirements compared to using FO alone for the entire concentration range.
Solution Approach 2:
Reverse osmosis is performed as a preliminary action before forward osmosis to pre-concentrate the alcoholic beverage. This preliminary concentration reduces the water content sufficiently that the subsequent FO step requires significantly less draw solution and smaller equipment while still achieving the target ultra-high gravity product.
2Ease of repair
If multiple-stage reverse osmosis system is used to process spent draw solution, then draw solution is recycled effectively, but system complexity and number of stages increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spent draw solution from the FO system is extracted and processed through a simplified RO recycling system. Rather than complex multi-stage treatment, the invention uses a streamlined approach where RO concentrates the spent draw solution and separates purged water, which can be discarded or reused separately. This extraction and simplified processing reduces system complexity while maintaining effective recycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers valuable components from the spent draw solution through RO concentration while allowing purged water to be discarded or separately utilized. This selective recovery approach simplifies the recycling process by not requiring complete reprocessing of all components, thereby reducing the number of RO stages needed while maintaining system efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combined RO and FO system efficiently produces ultra-high gravity alcoholic beverages with reduced waste and complexity, enabling cost-effective transportation and storage while allowing for reconstitution before consumption.
Implementation Method 1
dewatering the high-gravity alcoholic beverage to a 16% to 22% ABV using an initial reverse osmosis system
Implementation Method 2
processing the very-high gravity alcoholic beverage via forward osmosis to produce an ultra-high gravity alcoholic beverage
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are described that produce an ultra-high gravity alcoholic beverage from a high gravity alcoholic beverage stream using an efficient, low waste, combination reverse osmosis and forward osmosis system. Utilizing a reverse osmosis system prior to using a forward osmosis system in removing water content from a high gravity alcoholic beverage stream significantly reduces a draw solution load when compared to a process that utilizes a forward osmosis system alone or prior to using any other dewatering system.