Method and apparatus for instant on-line carbonation of water by electrostatic charging

Abstract

The present application provides a carbonation device for carbonating a mixed feed stream of pressurized and cooled carbon dioxide and water. A first cartridge is provided in a carbonation chamber, the first cartridge defining a porous microporous network in fluid communication with the feed stream and a central cavity in fluid communication with an outlet of the carbonation chamber. The microporous network is configured to break the water molecule chains passing through the network, thereby enhancing the bonding between the water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules within the cartridge. The network also generates a passive polarization field that has a polarizing effect on the water molecules in response to a stream of water and carbon dioxide molecules that impinge on and pass through the network, thereby further enhancing the bonding. Beads may be provided in the cartridge to capture and stabilize the carbon dioxide molecules, thereby further enhancing the bonding between the water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

[0003] 62 / 393,604, filed on September 12, 2016, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0004] Statement: Federally Sponsored Research / Development

[0005] Not applicable Technical Field

[0006] This application relates to methods and apparatus for enhancing the carbonation of potable water and potable beverages to obtain carbonated water and carbonated potable beverages (by mixing carbonated water with syrup). Carbonated water and other carbonated beverages are typically formed by mixing pressurized cold water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in a metal chamber; or in some cases, by mixing pressurized cold water and carbon dioxide instantaneously online at a dispensing terminal.

[0007] When carbonated beverages are produced in a beverage production facility, the resulting carbonated beverage is dispensed into bottles, cans, or other containers for transportation. The carbonation level of some beverages is higher than that of others. There are differences in the carbonation levels between beverages. The carbonation level can be related to consumer taste. The carbonation level is also affected by the need to maintain the carbonation at a specific level over a period of time. Given the lifespan of CO2 in a beverage, it is known that some PET (polyethylene terephthalate) containers (e.g., plastic bottles containing carbonated beverages) release carbon dioxide through the container walls over time, significantly shortening the retention time of carbonation in the beverage. This occurs because initially the carbonated beverage is held under pressure;

[0008] and once the bottle or can is opened, the carbonation begins to decrease as carbon dioxide bubbles rapidly dissipate from the beverage at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The same situation occurs for point - of - use dispensers (e.g., soda fountains), which combine mixing carbon dioxide with cold water under high pressure to produce highly carbonated water and mixing the highly carbonated water with syrup within a dispensing nozzle (e.g., a post - mix dispenser).

[0009] As is well known, at 25 °C and atmospheric pressure, the solubility of carbon dioxide gas in water is fixed. Under these boundary conditions, only a small fraction of the CO2 in water exists as carbonic acid, while most of the CO2 in water does not convert to acid but remains as CO2(aq), i.e., CO2(aq) is not bonded to water and can thus be rapidly released from water. To increase the amount of CO2 dissolved in water (when it is necessary to produce sparkling water), the food and beverage industry has developed a process that uses water cooled at low temperatures and mixed with gas under high pressure. In fact, when water is mixed with carbon dioxide at a temperature close to the freezing point of water (0 °C / 32 °F), the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2 aq) retained in (cold) water can be significantly increased. By increasing the gas pressure of carbon dioxide when mixing it with pressurized (cold) water, this is an additional step commonly employed by the food and beverage industry to increase the carbonation level of beverages. Therefore, when producing carbonated water, the low temperature (close to the freezing point of water, 0 °C) and high pressure (above 400 pounds per square inch (psi)) of both the liquid and the gas are the solutions currently used in beverage production equipment and ready-to-drink post-mix beverage dispensers.

[0010] In a typical carbonated beverage, bubbles form rapidly when the beverage is dispensed. At atmospheric pressure and room temperature, gas (CO2) bubbles grow in the aqueous solution until they are rapidly released from the surface of the beverage, thus creating a "flat" beverage in a relatively short period of time. To produce highly carbonated water suitable for drinking in an open glass, a larger amount of carbon dioxide gas needs to be dissolved in water, and the rapid dissipation of these gases into the atmosphere needs to be avoided.

[0011] It is understandable that the electrical bond between water (H2O) molecules and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules is an important factor in the ability to maintain a certain amount of carbon dioxide (in the form of carbonic acid) in water. This bond helps to maintain the carbonation level of sparkling water for a longer period after dispensing. Unfortunately, this bonding between H2O and CO2 molecules is known to be very weak (i.e., water molecules tend to bond with each other rather than with carbon dioxide molecules). Generally speaking, when the chemical reaction (CO2 / H2O bonding) and its reverse reaction (CO2 / H2O separation) occur at the same rate, there is an equilibrium condition. This equilibrium is usually determined by the partial pressure of CO2 (gas) above the water.

[0012] Both water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules are polar molecules. As described below, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses that, in addition to using conventional (low) temperatures and (high) pressures for carbonation, can break the extended chains of water molecules and also increase the natural polarization of the molecules of water and carbon dioxide, thereby enhancing the bonding between water (H2O) molecules and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules. This results in carbonated water with a higher level of carbonation, which can maintain its carbonation level for a longer period of time.

[0013] Enhancing the polarization properties of the molecules of water and carbon dioxide makes the molecules more prone to orientation for stronger bonding, especially when combined with providing a substrate on which to trap the molecules (especially carbon dioxide molecules) to promote bonding activity. As a result, the aqueous solution can be carbonated to a higher level and the increased carbonation level can be maintained for a longer period after bottling.

[0014] By electrostatic charging and polarizing the orientation of water molecules, and to a lesser extent the orientation of carbon dioxide molecules, more chemical bonds can be generated between these two types of molecules, thereby increasing the content of carbonic acid (H2CO3 concentration) present in the water, which in turn results in a lower pH value level in the resulting sparkling water. For example, in pure water, the Bjerrum curve shows a pH value of 5.7 under atmospheric conditions. By enhancing the orientation of the polar molecules, more dipole bonds are formed between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules, resulting in sparkling water with a pH value of less than 3.6 at atmospheric pressure (pCO2 = 1 atm). Such a low pH value is comparable to the pH value levels typically obtained at much higher CO2 pressure levels (i.e., in the Bjerrum curve, the pCO2 level exceeds 5 bar).

[0015] As further described below, the present invention provides methods and apparatuses that, in particular, enhance the bonding between carbon dioxide and water molecules by weakening the bonds between water molecules, polarizing the water molecules, and then orienting the water molecules to increase the likelihood of more carbon dioxide molecules bonding with water molecules. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present application provides a carbonation device for carbonating a mixed feed stream of pressurized and cooled carbon dioxide and water. A first cartridge is disposed within the carbonation chamber, the first cartridge defining a porous microporous mesh in fluid communication with the feed stream and a central cavity in fluid communication with the outlet of the carbonation chamber. The microporous mesh is configured to break the water molecule chains passing through the mesh, thereby enhancing the bonding between the water molecules and the carbon dioxide molecules within the cartridge. The microporous mesh also generates a passive polarization field that polarizes the water molecules in response to the streams of water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules that impinge on and pass through the mesh, thereby further enhancing the polarization of the water molecules. Beads may be disposed within the cartridge for capturing and stabilizing the carbon dioxide molecules, thereby further enhancing the bonding between the water molecules and the carbon dioxide molecules.

[0017] Multiple carbonation chambers may be used, typically arranged in series.

[0018] In one embodiment, the carbonation device is implemented as a pair of carbonation chambers, wherein the first carbonation chamber includes a cylindrical microporous mesh and the second carbonation chamber includes a plurality of beads disposed therein.

[0019] In another embodiment, both carbonation chambers include respective microporous meshes located within the carbonation chamber, and a plurality of beads are disposed within the area defined by the microporous mesh. The mesh and the beads may have similar sizes or different sizes.

[0020] In one embodiment, the internal volume defined by the carbonation chamber is 2 cm 3 to 400 cm 3 .

[0021] The microporous mesh may be formed of stainless steel strands having a diameter of 2 μ to 100 μ, and the open mesh area defined by the microporous mesh is 5 μ to 800 μ.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first carbonation chamber includes a cartridge that defines a 100 μ microporous mesh and houses 5 mm diameter beads, and the second carbonation chamber includes a cartridge that defines a 400 μ mesh and beads having a diameter of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0023] The expected pressure of the feed stream of the carbonation device is about 160 psi and the flow rate is 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM). The feed to the second carbonation chamber may have a lower pressure of 65 psi and a lower flow rate of 1.1 GPM.

[0024] A liquid flow compensator may be provided at the outlet of the carbonation chamber for reducing the pressure and flow rate from the carbonation chamber to a pressure suitable for bottling, for example, reducing the pressure to 15 psi and the flow rate to 0.5 GPM to 1 GPM. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with reference to the following description and drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the description and drawings, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary water carbonation process and system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Repeated Figure 1 of the block diagram showing exemplary pressure and flow levels throughout the system and process;

[0028] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows an exemplary H2O and CO2 mixing device;

[0029] Figure 4a FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a carbonation chamber;

[0030] Figure 4b FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a carbonation chamber;

[0031] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the carbonation chamber;

[0032] FIG. 6a is an exploded perspective view of the carbonation chamber;

[0033] FIG. 6b is an exploded perspective view of the carbonation chamber with beads disposed on the microporous mesh;

[0034] FIGS. 7a and 7b are views of a mesh filter used in the carbonation chamber;

[0035] Figure 8 FIG. 8 shows a first embodiment of a flow compensator;

[0036] Figure 9 FIG. 9 is Figure 8 a cross-sectional view of the flow compensator shown in FIG. 8;

[0037] Figure 10 FIG. 10 is Figure 8 a side view of the flow compensator shown in FIG. 8;

[0038] Figure 11a And 11b FIG. 11 is a table of measured carbonation parameters related to an embodiment of the present invention compared to a current carbonation system and bottled carbonated water;

[0039] Figure 12 Perspective view of an alternative second embodiment of a flow compensator; and

[0040] Figure 13 is Figure 12 the top view of the flow compensator shown in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Generally speaking, the present invention changes the prior art and devices by adding the following technologies and devices to enhance the carbonation of water or other beverages (i.e., using low temperature and high pressure). This changed technology and device involve breaking the molecular structure of water compounds while aligning the polarized molecular orientations of water and carbon dioxide, thereby enhancing and increasing the bonds between carbon dioxide molecules and water molecules, which will be described in more detail below. In the described embodiments, the technology and device are mainly designed and optimized for use in conjunction with a ready-to-use soda / water dispenser.

[0042] According to the present invention, water is carbonated through the process and using Figure 1 and Figure 2 the system generally shown in

[0043] According to Figures 1 to 3 the carbonation device 10 shown in Figure 3 a stream of cooled liquid water and carbon dioxide gas are combined at a pressure (40 psi to 100 psi) in a mixing device 40 (shown in Figure 3 Preferably, the mixing device 40 creates an interface at the intersection of the streams, thereby creating a low-pressure region adjacent to the point of combination, thus generating a Venturi effect. The Venturi effect enhances the flow of carbon dioxide molecules into the mixing device 40. As shown in

[0044] Carbon dioxide nozzles 43, 47 and water nozzles 45, 49 are provided at the confluence of the material flows, and these nozzles are basically arranged perpendicular to each other in orientation to cause a low-pressure region downstream of the point where the carbon dioxide and water merge. As described above, the low-pressure region generates a Venturi effect, thereby enhancing the flow of carbon dioxide and water and promoting the mixing of carbon dioxide and water molecules to an initial carbonation level before entering the carbonation chamber.

[0045] The enhanced mixture of water and carbon dioxide improves the functionality of the carbonation chamber by stabilizing the material flow entering the first carbonation chamber and avoiding multiple laminar flows that can weaken the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules within the first carbonation chamber.

[0046] In another alternative embodiment, the water supply nozzles 45, 49 and the carbon dioxide supply nozzles 43, 47 are arranged in such a way that one or more of these nozzles (e.g., the carbon dioxide nozzles 43, 47) are arranged with their leading edges substantially coinciding with the flow axes of the associated water nozzles 45, 49. The leading edges can further be rounded and inclined away from the pressurized water flow to enhance the flow past the inclined carbon dioxide nozzle faces, thereby obtaining a more defined low-pressure region. This enables better control of the Venturi effect and thus the material flow in response to the adjustment of the water pressure impinging on the inclined carbon dioxide nozzles.

[0047] As Figures 1 to 3 Further shown, the mixture of water and gas flowing out of the mixing chamber then passes through one or more carbonation chambers 20. In the various embodiments of the carbonation chamber specifically shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the functions of the carbonation chamber are: breaking the water molecule chains; enhancing the orientation of the molecules associated with the carbonated material flow; and capturing the water molecules in more stable positions when the water molecules are more prone to bonding with other molecules. As will be described in more detail below, the water molecules can be polarized to better orient, for example, with the hydrogen atoms oriented in the flow direction and towards the trapped carbon dioxide molecules. This helps to enhance the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules, thereby producing a high level of carbonation in the water.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, one or more carbonation chambers 21, 23 are provided with a metal microporous mesh 34, and the structure and size of the metal microporous mesh are such that the extended chains of molecules (e.g., water molecules) can be broken by physical impact on the microporous mesh. This breakage produces more water molecules that can bond with carbon dioxide molecules during the flow, thereby further enhancing the intermolecular bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules. The molecules can be further oriented to the body or array of glass beads ( Figure 4b ), where the glass beads can be provided in the carbonation chambers 21, 23 having the microporous mesh (as Figure 4bas shown in Figures 6a and 6b), or disposed in a separate chamber (as shown in Figure 4a ). The beads may include minute irregularities in which molecules, particularly larger carbon dioxide molecules, may be trapped. Carbon dioxide molecules stabilized on the irregular surfaces of the beads thus become substantially more stationary targets for smaller water molecules which may then bond with the carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid which may then be released into the stream flowing out of the carbonation chamber. It has been found that the level of bonding generated between the water and the stabilized carbonated molecules is much higher than that typically obtained when simply combining water and carbon dioxide molecules by pumping pressurized carbon dioxide and chilled water. In addition, it has been found that such pumping alone results in a looser form of carbonation in which more carbon dioxide is in the form of an aqueous mixture, i.e., not effectively bonded to the water molecules, such that the carbonation is more likely to dissipate over time.

[0049] As described above, according to the present invention, the bonding between carbon molecules and water molecules can be further enhanced by polarization of the molecules, such that the molecules are better oriented for bonding. This orientation can be achieved in a variety of ways. In one embodiment of the present invention, a polarized magnetic field is passively generated on the microporous grid due to the behavior of hydrogen molecules and carbon dioxide molecules as they strike, break and pass through the microporous grid, thereby achieving orientation of the molecules. It will be understood that this passive polarization of the microporous grid causes electrons to be stripped from the upstream surface of the microporous grid (which may be formed of stainless steel for example), creating a small temporary positive charge on the upstream surface of the grid and a greater negative charge on the downstream side of the grid. It is believed that this induced polarization is generated in a manner similar to rubbing a glass rod with silk, causing some electrons to be stripped from the surface of the glass rod, temporarily charging the glass rod positively.

[0050] As water molecules pass through the microporous grid, it is believed that the charge on the grid affects the water molecules to be oriented, with the oxygen atoms having a greater positive charge being oriented towards the grid and the hydrogen atoms having a lesser positive charge being oriented away from the grid (i.e., towards the direction of the stream), such that they bond with carbon dioxide molecules in the stream and / or are trapped and stabilized on the surface of the beads. This passive polarization is generated due to the interaction between the molecules and the grid, thereby enhancing the dipole bonding between the water molecules and the carbon dioxide molecules.

[0051] Alternatively, the microporous grid may be implemented as a pair of concentric grids connected to a voltage source, thereby providing active polarization to the grid to enhance the orientation of water molecules passing through the grid. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific direction of the current passing through the grid can be applied according to the desired polarization of the water molecules as they pass through the grid.

[0052] As shown above, the first carbonation chamber may include a microporous mesh through which feed water and gas mixture pass. The microporous mesh is preferably formed by one or more independent microporous metal (e.g., stainless steel) rings. Carbonated water passes through the microporous mesh, breaking the long-chain molecular compounds of water. At the same time, a weak electrostatic field is generated due to the passage of more polarized molecules (which are the more polarized molecules of the liquid mixture (water and carbon dioxide)) at high speed within a short time (shorter than one second). Thus, the possibility of forming a dipole-dipole electrostatic connection between the short (broken) molecular chains of water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules is higher. In this embodiment, the electrostatic field is induced by the passage of polarized molecules itself, resulting in electroinduction. Other embodiments of the device may employ a process in which an electric field is artificially generated externally by a common DC power source or multiple DC power sources, so that highly polarized water molecules and gas molecules are immediately oriented according to the electric field generated on the mesh. Regardless of the solution adopted (induced electric field or artificially generated electric field), the result is the high polarization and orientation of liquid and gas molecules. In the case of a passive induced electric field, not only does the induced electrostatic field promote the polarization of the passing molecules, but the polarization itself also changes the generated electric field.

[0053] In this article, although the electrostatic field generated by the passage of polarized molecules is expected to be weak, it increases the polarization of water molecules, thus increasing the possibility of forming a bond between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules. This is because as the polarization degree of each water molecule increases, the total number of water molecules with high polarization degree increases. By breaking the long chains of water molecules and gradually orienting them in response to the electrostatic field, the (temporary) formation amount of carbonic acid in water increases, and it is found that the carbonation degree of the resulting water is higher. In addition, it has been found that water molecules maintain the bond with carbon dioxide molecules, which reduces the dispersion of carbon dioxide molecules (i.e., the bubbles when carbonated water is exposed to air during the distribution process). With the increase in the bond, when carbonated water is in an open glass or bottle, the carbonation in water is higher and more persistent over time.

[0054] Since water molecules have dipole characteristics, the electrostatic field generated by the metal mesh tends to align the water molecules relative to the electrostatic field. This alignment can lead to longitudinal electrostriction, making the water molecules denser and including cross-sectional expansion. This longitudinal electrostriction and cross-sectional expansion increase the possibility of interaction between partially negatively charged water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules (which have a partially positively charged carbon part and may exist in the system), thus forming stable carbonic acid molecules.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the microporous mesh is formed from stainless steel strands having a diameter of from about 2 μm to 100 μm, and the opening size of the microporous mesh is from about 5 μm to 800 μm. However, it is contemplated that the microporous mesh may be formed from other materials and the strand / aperture region dimensions may be varied to accommodate other factors such as particular pressure levels, flow rates, desired carbonation levels, and the like.

[0056] When discharging carbonated water from the first carbonation chamber, the discharge is connected to the second carbonation chamber where the carbonation level is further increased. As shown above, while the first carbonation chamber may or may not include beads, as Figure 3 shown, the second carbonation chamber may further include glass beads having microscopic surface irregularities capable of capturing water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules (still in the form of CO2aq). This capture weakens the activity of the molecules in the carbonated water (especially the larger carbon dioxide molecules), making it easier for other molecules to bind to the captured molecules. The highly reactive water molecules captured on the irregular surface of the glass beads are also more likely to bond with free carbon dioxide molecules, which would also be the case if the water molecules were free flowing in the carbonated water. According to this process, glass beads having a specific diameter (0.5 mm to 5 mm) act as surface catalysts, which act by increasing the proportion of molecular collisions with the correct orientation to facilitate bonding.

[0057] It is expected that if initially 10% of the collisions have a favorable molecular orientation, adding a surface catalyst to the feed stream can increase this to 30%. This means that the rate of formation of bonds between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules will be three times (if all other conditions remain the same). This means that the probability of bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules is much higher when one of the water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules is more stationary compared to the other (rather than both the water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules being freely mobile).

[0058] Compared to water and carbon dioxide molecules, the surface area of the surface catalyst is very large relative to the size of the water and carbon dioxide molecules. The seemingly smooth surface of the glass beads is extremely uneven at the atomic scale. This unevenness or surface irregularities helps to capture and thus stabilize water molecules. This enhances the ability of water-compatible molecules to bond with the captured water molecules.

[0059] The surface irregularities of the glass beads can match or be compatible with the shape or spacing of carbon dioxide molecules and / or water molecules. Thus, for example, carbon dioxide molecules may strike the surface of the glass beads and adhere thereto. Once the carbon dioxide is no longer free to move, the likelihood of a favorably oriented impact with water molecules (i.e., the molecules can bond) increases significantly. In this way, the surface catalyst helps to create more carbonic acid and fewer free carbon dioxide molecules, resulting in carbonation that lasts longer.

[0060] After bonding, the impact of other colliding molecules will knock the trapped carbonic acid molecules off the surface of the glass beads. Similarly, trapped but unbonded water molecules or carbon dioxide molecules will be released or knocked off. However, the release of carbonated molecules is expected to have little effect because other possible molecules will be quickly trapped. When water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules form hydrogen bonds to create carbonic acid, it is more likely to remain in the carbonated water. This results in a carbonated beverage that can maintain carbonation for a longer time and retain a preferred taste.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the carbonation device 10 includes two carbonation chambers 20. However, other embodiments may include a different number of carbonation chambers, such as three or more. The carbonation chambers can have various sizes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the internal volume of each carbonation chamber is 2 cm 3 to 400 cm 3 .

[0062] Figure 4 shows a carbonation device 20, which includes carbonation chambers 21 and 23. The carbonation chamber 21 defines an interior with a cylindrical microporous mesh. The carbonation chamber 23 defines an interior with a plurality of glass beads located within the mesh. The feed stream enters through the feed port 22 and passes through the carbonation chamber 21, flowing out through the discharge port 24. The material stream passes through the second carbonation chamber through the feed port 26 and flows out through the discharge port 28.

[0063] Figure 4b The carbonation device 20 shown in

[0064] Figure 5 and Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an exemplary carbonation chamber 21, which has a lid 25, a bottom 29, and a cartridge 27 disposed within the chamber defined by the lid 25 and the bottom 29.

[0065] The cartridge 27 defines a microporous mesh 34 surrounding an internal chamber 33 in which glass beads 38 can be disposed. The cartridge 27 is arranged such that, by means of the engagement between the seal 35 and the side wall 19 of the lid 25, a liquid-tight engagement is achieved between the cartridge 27 and the lid 25. As shown in FIG. 6b, one end of the cartridge 27 may be provided with an open grille 39 to facilitate the flow of liquid between the interior of the cartridge 27 and the carbonation chamber inlet, and to facilitate the liquid flowing through and around the beads.

[0066] As shown by the comparison of the flow paths in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the liquid streams entering and exiting the carbonation chamber may differ in terms of entering or leaving the cartridge via the upper or side ports.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, each carbonation chamber is generally cylindrical. Each carbonation chamber defines a hollow cylindrical region in which a cylindrical microporous mesh made of a metallic material is provided. The water entering the first carbonation chamber passes through the microporous mesh and then flows to the next (second) carbonation chamber. As Figure 4a 、 Figure 4b and FIG. 6b show, the first carbonation chamber may or may not include glass beads 38, while the second carbonation chamber is expected to include glass beads. Inside the carbonation chamber, the glass beads preferably float freely in the microporous mesh. The second carbonation chamber may include a mesh similar to that of the first carbonation chamber, but preferably, as Figure 4b shown, the mesh of the second carbonation chamber is a finer microporous mesh and the bead diameter is smaller. The construction and function of the carbonation chamber and the flow compensator will be described in more detail below.

[0068] The carbonated water flowing out of the second carbonation chamber can flow to the flow compensator, which will be further described below. Different embodiments of suitable flow compensators are listed in Figures 8 to 10 and Figures 12 to 13 . Alternatively, it can be achieved by commercially available devices such as the Everpure EV312493 flow compensator or the CM Becker In Line Flow Control Compensator (model D1235).

[0069] Although the flow of the molecules remains substantially indistinguishable, the carbonation level of the carbonated water flowing out of the second acidification chamber is generally higher than that of the carbonated water flowing out of the first acidification chamber. The function of the flow compensator is to reduce the turbulence of the highly carbonated water and enhance the semi-laminar flow, thereby immediately reducing the pressure of the mixture to atmospheric pressure. Another function of the flow compensator is to regulate the pressure and flow rate of the carbonated water to levels suitable for flowing into a ready-to-use drinking machine. For example, the pressure is regulated to 15 psi, and the flow rate is regulated to 0.5 GPM to 1.6 GPM. Figures 8 to 10 and Figures 12 to 13 Different embodiments of the flow compensator that can be used in conjunction with the present invention are listed in

[0070] In Figures 8 to 10 In the embodiment shown in , the flow compensator 50 consists of an elongated body 51 having three different elements: (i) first, a flow restrictor region 52, followed immediately by (ii) a spreading region, which in most cases has (iii) an inflator element 57. The flow compensator also includes a housing 53 into which the elongated body (regulator) is inserted. The carbonated water enters the flow compensator housing 53 and flows circumferentially around the elongated body 51 through a channel extending between the inner wall 54 of the elongated body 51 and the housing 53, and flows towards the outlet 59 of the compensator 50. The rotation of the elongated body 51 within the housing 53 acts as a variable flow restrictor.

[0071] Other embodiments may include compensators that operate by utilizing the same physical principles (reducing pressure and stabilizing the material flow) but have different geometries. Figures 12 to 13 The embodiment shown includes a flow compensator 60, in which a flow restrictor 63 placed downstream of the carbonation chamber is followed by a dilation chamber 65 and an inflator 67. The flow compensator 60 can be used in a dispensing device to dispense a stable material flow of carbonated water, syrup, and / or hot water and to dispense it at atmospheric pressure.

[0072] In Figure 11a and Figure 11b The carbonation levels and other characteristics of the carbonated water discharged from the flow compensator are described in the tables of and . These tables compare the carbonated water discharged from the present invention and the discharges measured from other commercially available dispensing systems, as well as the carbonated water from selected bottled carbonated water products.

[0073] As Figure 11a and Figure 11bAs shown, the carbonated water produced according to the present invention exhibits a pH value of 3.6 at atmospheric pressure, and compared with the characteristics of other commercially available products tested, the carbonated water produced according to the present invention can maintain a high degree of carbonation for a longer period of time. Therefore, it has been found that the carbonation level in the present invention can produce highly carbonated water with a high level of carbonation stability for a longer time.

[0074] The specific content shown herein is exemplary and is for illustrative discussion only. It is used to provide the most useful and easily understood illustration of the principles and conceptual aspects of various embodiments of a method and apparatus believed to be for providing a stable highly carbonated beverage. In this regard, no more details are attempted to be given other than those necessary for a thorough understanding of the different features of the various embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art how to practice the present invention from the specification in conjunction with the drawings.

[0075] Similarly, the above description is done by way of example, but is not limited to these examples. Based on the above disclosure, those skilled in the art can design different variations within the scope and spirit of the present invention disclosed herein. This includes different ways of enhancing and stabilizing the carbon dioxide level in water. In addition, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can also be used alone or in various combinations with each other, and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinations described herein. Therefore, the scope of the claims is not limited to the embodiments set forth.

Claims

1. A carbonation device for carbonating a mixed feed stream of pressurized and cooled carbon dioxide molecules and water molecules, the device comprising: a) A first carbonation chamber that defines a feed port, a discharge port, and a first central chamber, and the first carbonation chamber feed port is in fluid communication with the feed stream; b) A first cartridge disposed within the first central chamber, the first cartridge defining a porous outer surface of a first microporous mesh that is in fluid communication with the first carbonation chamber feed port, and a first cavity defined by the first cartridge that is in fluid communication with the first carbonation chamber discharge port; c) wherein the first microporous mesh material has such dimensions and configuration that water molecule chains passing through the first microporous mesh are broken, thereby enhancing the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules within the first carbonation chamber; and d) wherein the first microporous mesh is further formed and configured to define an outer surface that generates a passive polarization field in response to a stream of water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules that impinge on and pass through the first microporous mesh, the passive polarization field having a polarizing effect on the water molecules passing through the first microporous mesh, thereby further enhancing the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules located within the first carbonation chamber; and e) A plurality of first beads disposed within the first cavity defined by the first cartridge.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: The plurality of first beads define an outer surface characterized by molecular capture irregularities formed thereon for capturing and stabilizing carbon dioxide molecules located on the outer surface of the first beads to further enhance the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules located within the first carbonation chamber.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: f) A second carbonation chamber that defines a feed port, a discharge port, and a second central chamber, and the second carbonation chamber feed port is in fluid communication with the first carbonation chamber discharge port; g) A second cartridge disposed within the second central chamber, the second cartridge defining a porous outer surface of a second microporous mesh that is in fluid communication with the second carbonation chamber feed port, and a second cavity defined by the second cartridge that is in fluid communication with the second carbonation chamber discharge port; h) wherein the second microporous mesh material has such dimensions and configuration that water molecule chains passing through the second microporous mesh are broken, thereby enhancing the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules within the second carbonation chamber; and i) wherein the second microporous mesh is further formed and configured to define an outer surface that generates a passive polarization field in response to a stream of water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules that impinge on and pass through the second microporous mesh, the passive polarization field having a polarizing effect on the water molecules passing through the second microporous mesh, thereby further enhancing the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules located within the second carbonation chamber; and j) A plurality of second beads disposed within the second cavity defined by the second cartridge, the second beads defining an outer surface characterized by molecular capture irregularities formed thereon for capturing and stabilizing carbon dioxide molecules located on the outer surface of the beads to further enhance the bonding with water molecules within the second carbonation chamber.

4. The device according to claim 2, further comprising: f) A second carbonation chamber that defines a feed port, a discharge port, and the second carbonation chamber, and the feed port of the second carbonation chamber is in fluid communication with the discharge port of the first carbonation chamber; g) A second cartridge disposed within the second central chamber, the second cartridge defining a porous outer surface of a second microporous mesh in fluid communication with the feed port of the second carbonation chamber and a second cavity defined by the second cartridge in fluid communication with the discharge port of the second carbonation chamber; h) wherein the second microporous mesh material has such dimensions and configuration that water molecule chains passing through the second microporous mesh are broken, thereby enhancing the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules within the second carbonation chamber; and i) wherein the second microporous mesh is further formed and configured to define an outer surface that generates a passive polarization field in response to a stream of water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules that impinge on and pass through the second microporous mesh, the passive polarization field having a polarization effect on the water molecules passing through the second microporous mesh, thereby further enhancing the bonding between water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules located within the second carbonation chamber; and j) A plurality of second beads disposed within the second cavity defined by the second cartridge, the second beads defining an outer surface characterized by molecular capture irregularities formed thereon for capturing and stabilizing carbon dioxide molecules located on the outer surface of the beads to further enhance the bonding with water molecules within the second carbonation chamber.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the internal volume defined by the first carbonation chamber and the second carbonation chamber is 2 cm 3 to 400 cm 3 .

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the first microporous mesh and the second microporous mesh are formed of stainless steel strands having a diameter of 2 μm to 100 μm.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first microporous mesh defines a cylindrical shape, and the pore size is 5 μm to 500 μm.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the pore size of the second microporous mesh is 100 μm to 800 μm.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the diameters of the first beads and the second beads are 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the diameter of the first beads is 5 mm.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the diameter of the second beads is 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

12. The device according to claim 4, wherein the first cartridge defines a microporous mesh of 100 μm and the plurality of first beads define a diameter of 5 mm; and wherein the second cartridge defines a pore mesh of 400 μm and the plurality of second beads define a diameter of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

13. The device according to claim 4, wherein the pressure of the feed stream is 160 pounds per square inch (psi) and the flow rate is 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM).

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the pressure of the carbonated water at the outlet of the second carbonation chamber is 65 psi and the flow rate is 1.1 GPM.

15. The device according to claim 14, further comprising a flow compensator in fluid communication with the outlet of the second carbonation chamber, the flow compensator configured to reduce the pressure from the second carbonation chamber to 15 psi and the flow rate to 0.5 GPM to 1.0 GPM.

16. The device according to claim 4, further comprising a mixing device in fluid communication with the inlet of the first carbonation chamber, the mixing device having a first inlet in communication with a source of pressurized and cooled water and a second inlet in communication with a source of carbon dioxide, the mixing device configured to mix water and carbon dioxide to form the feed stream, the feed stream having free water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules in an aqueous solution.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein the pressurized and cooled water is supplied to the first inlet of the mixing device at a pressure of 90 psi and a flow rate of 1.8 GPM.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein carbon dioxide is supplied to the second inlet of the mixing device at a pressure of 75 psi.

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