Method for saturating a liquid with carbon dioxide and device for carrying out same

Abstract

A method for saturating a liquid with carbon dioxide consists in generating negative pressure in a receiving chamber by feeding in a liquid under pressure from a pressure chamber via a diaphragm. The liquid is changed into a wet saturated vapour state, and carbon dioxide is passed from a gas chamber into the receiving chamber via gas feed channels transversely to the movement of the liquid, creating a turbulent flow of a vapour-gas mixture. The wet saturated vapour is mixed with carbon dioxide and fed from the receiving chamber into a mixing chamber where a vapour-gas mixture is formed by turbulation, then fed into a condensation chamber and condensed to produce a carbonated mixture. An opening in the diaphragm has a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the trailing edge lies adjacent to an initial region of the mixing chamber. To provide for an elevated degree of dissolution, carbon dioxide is directed into the receiving chamber perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the liquid fed into the chamber, resulting in a greater degree of carbon dioxide saturation of the liquid and a longer period of resistance of the mixture to degradation into its component parts.

Description

[0001] METHOD OF SATURATION OF LIQUID WITH CARBON DIOXIDE AND DEVICE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION

[0002] The group of inventions relates to the food industry, namely, to means for saturating liquid with carbon dioxide and can be used to saturate low-alcohol drinks, soft drinks and mineral waters with CO2.

[0003] A method for saturating a liquid with carbon dioxide is known, which consists in feeding liquid from a pressure chamber under pressure through a narrowing device into a receiving chamber, increasing the flow rate of the liquid and creating a vacuum in the receiving chamber by passing the liquid through the opening of the narrowing device, increasing the surface of the liquid by converting it into a state of wet saturated steam, ensuring the passage of carbon dioxide from the gas chamber into the receiving chamber through the feed windows of the gas supply channels across the direction of movement of the liquid, creating a turbulent flow of the vapor-gas mixture in the receiving chamber, mixing the wet saturated steam with carbon dioxide under conditions of an increased mass exchange surface, the mixed medium is fed from the receiving chamber into a mixing chamber made in the form of a rectilinear channel with an invariable diameter, in which a vapor-gas mixture is formed due to the turbulence of the flow,after which the resulting steam-gas mixture is fed into the condensation chamber and condensed in the flow to obtain a gaseous mixture (see UA030296 published, 11 / 15 / 2000).

[0004] The disadvantages of the known method are the lack of control operations for the parameters of the components being mixed, namely: the temperature of the liquid and the value of the gas vacuum in the gas chamber before feeding it to the receiving chamber. Since the required properties of the mixture are achieved by observing the specified parameters only in narrow ranges of values, there is a high probability of a significant deterioration in the quality of the finished product.

[0005] In addition, the dimensional ratios specified in the published document (“the width of the receiving chamber is 0.5-0.8 of the nozzle diameter”) go beyond the parameters that allow for the mixing process, since the narrowing of the receiving chamber at the outlet of the orifice of the narrowing device will not allow the creation of a vacuum in the receiving chamber necessary for the mixing process to be carried out.

[0006] The technical problem in terms of implementing the saturation method is to ensure the process of mixing liquid with gas in the required range of parameters of the mixed medium for the maximum possible saturation of the liquid with carbon dioxide while maintaining a stable bond of the mixed components in the finished product. The technical result in terms of the method is to increase the degree of saturation of the liquid with carbon dioxide and increase the period of resistance to decomposition of the mixture into its constituent components.

[0007] The technical problem and technical result in terms of the method are achieved by the fact that when saturating a liquid with carbon dioxide, the liquid is fed from a pressure chamber under pressure through a narrowing device into a receiving chamber, increasing the flow rate of the liquid and creating a vacuum in the receiving chamber by passing the liquid through the opening of the narrowing device, increasing the surface of the liquid by converting it into a state of wet saturated steam, ensuring the passage of carbon dioxide from the gas chamber into the receiving chamber through gas supply channels across (at an angle) to the direction of movement of the liquid, creating a turbulent flow of the vapor-gas mixture in the receiving chamber, mixing the wet saturated steam with carbon dioxide under conditions of an increased mass transfer surface, the mixed medium is fed from the receiving chamber into a mixing chamber made in the form of a rectilinear channel with an invariable diameter, in which a vapor-gas mixture is formed due to the turbulence of the flow,after which the obtained steam-gas mixture is fed into the condensation chamber and condensed in the flow to obtain a gaseous mixture, wherein, according to the invention, a diaphragm is used as a narrowing device, the opening of which has an input and output edge, the initial section of the mixing chamber adjacent to the output edge of the diaphragm opening is used as the receiving chamber, at least the temperature of the liquid supplied for mixing and the magnitude of the vacuum in the gas chamber are measured, the said parameters are controlled and maintained within the specified values, ensuring an increased degree of dissolution of carbon dioxide in the liquid, and carbon dioxide is directed into the receiving chamber perpendicular to the direction of movement of the liquid supplied to it, wherein the length of the diaphragm opening in the direction of movement of the liquid in it is made with a length within 0.1-0.3 of its diameter,the gas supply channels are made with a height in the direction of movement of the liquid through the receiving chamber within 0.6...0.8 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, while ensuring the total cross-sectional area of ​​the gas supply channels within 1.8-3.2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the diaphragm opening, the diameter of the mixing chamber is made within 1.1-1.2 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, and the length of the mixing chamber is not less than six times its internal diameter.

[0008] The technical result in terms of the method is also achieved by the fact that the walls of each gas supply channel in the projection of the channel cross-section onto the receiving chamber are located within the boundaries of the receiving chamber. The technical result in terms of the method is also achieved by the fact that the vacuum value in the gas chamber can be measured after a short-term blocking of the entrance to the gas chamber, without stopping the mixing process.

[0009] From the above-mentioned source of information, a device is known for saturating a liquid with gas, comprising a housing with a sequentially arranged liquid pressure chamber, a narrowing device, a receiving chamber located coaxially with the opening of the narrowing device and communicating with the gas chamber by means of gas supply channels located across the geometric longitudinal opening of the receiving chamber, a mixing chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the opening of the narrowing device, a condensation chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the mixing chamber and a diffuser located at the outlet of the condensation chamber.

[0010] The disadvantages of the known device are the non-optimal dimensions of the chambers and their shape, which do not allow achieving the maximum possible degree of CO2 dissolution in the liquid.

[0011] The technical result in terms of the method is an increase in the degree of saturation of the liquid with carbon dioxide and an increase in the period of resistance to decomposition of the mixture into its constituent components.

[0012] The technical problem and technical result in terms of the device are achieved in that the device for saturating a liquid with gas comprises a housing with a liquid pressure chamber, a constriction device, a receiving chamber with a cylindrical inner surface arranged in series therein, located coaxially with the opening of the constriction device and communicated with the gas chamber by means of gas supply channels arranged transversely to the geometric longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber, a mixing chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the opening of the constriction device, a condensation chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the mixing chamber and a diffuser located at the outlet of the condensation chamber, wherein, according to the invention, the constriction device is made in the form of a diaphragm installed at the outlet of the pressure chamber, the inlet and outlet edges of the opening of which are made sharp, rectangular,the receiving chamber is made at the initial section of the mixing chamber adjacent to the outlet edge of the diaphragm opening, the gas supply channels are made with a height in the direction of fluid movement through the receiving chamber within 0.6...0.8 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, while ensuring the total cross-sectional area of ​​the gas supply channels within 1.8-3.2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the diaphragm opening, the diameter of the mixing chamber is made within 1.1-1.2 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, and the length of the mixing chamber is not less than six times greater than its internal diameter.

[0013] The technical result in terms of the device is also achieved by the fact that the radial width of the gas supply channel from its longitudinal axis in the cross-section of the receiving chamber is made no greater than the radius of the receiving chamber.

[0014] The technical result in terms of the device is also achieved by the fact that the cross-sectional shape of the gas supply channel is made in the form of a geometric figure.

[0015] The technical result in terms of the device is also achieved by the fact that a device for measuring the temperature of the liquid in it is installed in the pressure chamber.

[0016] The technical result in terms of the method is also achieved by the fact that the gas chamber can be equipped with a damper installed with the possibility of blocking the entrance to the chamber, and a device for measuring the pressure in the gas chamber is installed at the entrance to the gas chamber.

[0017] The group of inventions is explained with the help of illustrations.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a device for saturating a liquid with gas;

[0019] In Fig. 2 - a cross-section of the receiving chamber A-A in Fig. 1;

[0020] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view B in Fig. 1;

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a table with the values ​​of liquid temperatures and gas pressures when the product transitions to a state of saturated vapor;

[0022] Fig. 5 shows a table of CO2 solubility in liquid at different values ​​of liquid temperature and gas pressure with a dissolution efficiency close to 100%.

[0023] Fig. 6 shows a table indicating the values ​​of liquid temperatures and gas pressures when implementing the method;

[0024] Fig. 7 shows a table that summarizes the results of testing devices with different aspect ratios.

[0025] The claimed method is implemented using a device for saturating a liquid with gas, which comprises a housing 1 with a liquid pressure chamber 2 arranged in series in the housing 1, a narrowing device made in the form of a diaphragm 3 with an opening 4 installed at the outlet of the pressure chamber 2, a receiving chamber 5 with a cylindrical inner surface arranged coaxially with the opening 4 and communicated with the gas chamber 6 by means of gas supply channels 7 with supply windows 8, by means of which the channels 7 communicate with the chamber 5. The channels 7 are arranged transversely to the geometric longitudinal axis 9 of the receiving chamber 5. The axis 9 coincides with the direction of movement of the liquid through the receiving chamber 5. A mixing chamber 10, made in the form of a longitudinal channel, is arranged coaxially with the opening 4 and the receiving chamber 5. The chamber 10 is communicated with a condensation chamber 11, made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the mixing chamber 5. At the outlet of the condensation chamber 11 there is a diffuser 12.The opening 4 has an inlet 13 and an outlet 14 edge. In this case, at least the inlet 13 edge is preferably made sharp and rectangular. The receiving chamber 5 is made on the initial section of the mixing chamber 10, adjacent to the outlet edge 14 of the opening 4 of the diaphragm 3. That is, the diameters of the cylindrical cavities of the receiving chamber 5 and the mixing chamber 10 are equal, and the length of the receiving chamber 5 along its geometric longitudinal axis 9 is equal to the height of the feed windows 8 of the gas supply channels 7, the size of which is also determined in the direction of the geometric longitudinal axis 9. In this case, the windows 8 are made with a height in the direction of liquid movement through the receiving chamber 5 within 0.6...0.8 of the diameter of the opening 4 of the diaphragm 3. The channels 7 are preferably located uniformly around the circumference in the cross-section of the chamber 5 (see Fig. 2).The number of channels 7 may be different, but with the provision of the condition of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the channels 7 within 1.8-3.2 of the cross-sectional area of ​​the opening 4 of the diaphragm 3. The height of the windows 8 is preferably equal to the size of the channels 7 in the direction of fluid movement. The mixing chamber 10 is made with a diameter within 1.1-1.2 of the diameter of the opening 4 of the diaphragm 3. The mixing chamber 10 is made with a length no less than six times greater than its internal diameter.

[0026] It is preferable that the radial width “B” of the gas supply channel 7 from its longitudinal axis 15 to the wall of the channel 7 in the cross-section of the receiving chamber 5 is made no greater than the radius “G” of the receiving chamber 5. It is preferable that the axis 15 of the channel 7 intersects the geometric axis 9 of the receiving chamber 5.

[0027] The cross-sectional shape of the gas supply channel 7 can be made in the form of any geometric figure.

[0028] A device (not shown in the drawings) for measuring the temperature of the liquid can be installed at the entrance to the pressure chamber 2.

[0029] The gas chamber 6 may be provided with a valve (not shown in the drawings) installed with the possibility of blocking the entrance to the chamber 6, and a device for measuring the pressure in it is installed inside the gas chamber 6.

[0030] The described method is implemented as follows. Liquid is fed from pressure chamber 2 under pressure through opening 4 of diaphragm 3 into receiving chamber 5, increasing the liquid flow rate and creating a vacuum in the receiving chamber. When passing through opening 4 of diaphragm 3, an abrupt, one-time pressure decrease in receiving chamber 5 occurs. Receiving chamber 5 is the initial section of mixing chamber 10, adjacent to the outlet edge 14 of opening 4 of diaphragm 3. The liquid surface is thus increased by converting it into a state of wet saturated steam, which is 10,000-12,000 times larger compared to the mass exchange surface between liquid droplets and CO2. Due to the pressure difference, carbon dioxide is passed from gas chamber 6 into receiving chamber 5 through gas supply channels 7 and windows 8, across the direction of liquid movement, creating a turbulent flow of the steam-gas mixture in receiving chamber 5.Carbon dioxide is directed into the receiving chamber 5 perpendicular to the direction of movement of the liquid fed into it. Wet saturated steam is mixed with carbon dioxide under conditions of an increased mass exchange surface. Due to the transfer of the product into the state of saturated steam, and its subsequent contact with CO2 molecules under a large mass exchange area, a stable bond of the product and CO2 is formed, during which all the free CO2 is converted into H2CO3. The mixed medium is fed from the receiving chamber 5 into the mixing chamber 10, which is essentially a continuation of chamber 5 and has the same diameter. In the mixing chamber 10, due to the turbulence of the flow, a steam-gas mixture is formed, after which the resulting steam-gas mixture is fed into the condensation chamber and condensed in the flow to obtain a gasified mixture. The claimed method achieves its greatest efficiency with correctly selected parameters, namely, at a given pressure Pr in the gas chamber 6 and at a temperature Ti of the liquid in the pressure chamber 2.To achieve ultra-low pressure Pg, it is necessary to set the required pressure Pi of the liquid in the pressure chamber 2. It is at the set values ​​of the specified parameters of the liquid and gas that the transition of the product to the state of saturated steam is ensured. The values ​​of the parameters are shown in the table (see Fig. 4).

[0031] To control the parameters of liquid and gas, at least the temperature of the liquid supplied for mixing from the pressure chamber 2 is measured, as well as the vacuum value in the gas chamber 6. The liquid pressure in the pressure chamber 2 can also be measured. The said parameters are controlled and maintained within the specified values, ensuring an increased degree of dissolution of carbon dioxide in the liquid. The value of the pressure Pr (vacuum) in the gas chamber 6 can be measured after briefly closing the inlet to the gas chamber 6 with a damper (not shown in the drawings), without stopping the mixing process.

[0032] The design of the device with the size ratios specified in the description ensures the greatest efficiency in the formation of a stable bond between the product and CO2 and the retention of CO2 in the resulting product for the maximum possible time.

[0033] Thus, the highest mixing efficiency is ensured by increasing the mass exchange surface and better binding of CO2 with the product with correctly selected ratios of the sizes of the device elements and correctly selected parameters of pressure P2 in the gas chamber 6, which sets the required product velocity at different temperatures Ti of the liquid before mixing. As a result, gas bubbles of the smallest sizes and better drinkability of the product are formed. Foaming of the product during filling is reduced, CO2 consumption is reduced. The retention time of CO2 in the product during the shelf life and during its use is increased. The service life of the equipment is increased by reducing the increased pressure in the buffer columns and in the filling unit, and electricity is saved by reducing the cooling of the product before saturation, as a result of which condensation formation on the surface of the package is reduced.

[0034] At the given process state parameters: pressure and temperature, according to the table in Fig. 5, CO2 is completely dissolved in the liquid with a dissolution efficiency close to 100%.

[0035] The results of examples of the implementation of the method at different specified values ​​of pressure and temperature are shown in the table in Fig. 6, where:

[0036] Ti + 0 C - product temperature;

[0037] Рг, kPa - pressure in receiving chamber 5;

[0038] Рз, kPa – outlet pressure;

[0039] Qi g / liter is the amount of CO2 supplied;

[0040] Q2 G / liter – the amount of CO2 in the product;

[0041] From the comparison of the results presented in the table, we can conclude that:

[0042] The pressure Pg in the receiving chamber 5 at a certain temperature significantly affects the content of free CO2 in the product. If it is higher than the recommended pressure, according to the table in Fig. 4, then during the process the product does not pass into the state of saturated steam, the surface area of ​​mass exchange between the product and CO2 does not increase, as a result of which at the outlet we have free CO2, which tends to escape from the product, forming foaming. The more of it, the more foaming occurs. We also see that the pressure after saturation of the product with CO2 has a significant effect on the retention of CO2, and the lower it is than the recommended parameters according to the table in Fig. 5, the more H2CO3 will be converted into free CO2 and will exit the product.

[0043] From the conclusion it follows that the method can be considered working.

[0044] - if Pg is equal to or less than the saturated vapor pressure of the product at the product temperature Ti (we take absolute pressure into account);

[0045] - if the device complies with the pressure and temperature parameters according to the table in Fig. 5.

[0046] The result of testing examples of devices with different aspect ratios is shown in Fig. 7.

[0047] Nine products with a nozzle diameter of 10.5 mm and a receiving chamber 5 with a length of 8.3 mm (0.8 of the diameter of the hole 4) took part in the experimental testing. Channels 7 for gas supply with windows 8 of different height, width and quantity were made in the walls of the receiving chamber 5.

[0048] From the table above, we can conclude that by increasing the height of window 8 of channel 7, we obtain a greater value of vacuum, due to which we have the opportunity to saturate the liquid with carbon dioxide as efficiently as possible. Thus, when comparing the data obtained during the study of products 1,2,3 with the height of windows 8 5.3 mm of channel 7, made in the walls of the receiving chamber 5, we pay attention to the fact that with different transverse widths of channels 7 for gas supply and, accordingly, the sum of their cross-sections of the area, significant changes in gas consumption and liquid flow rate are not observed. But with an increase in the height of window 8 of channel 7 of gas, we can observe a significant increase in gas consumption caused by a stronger vacuum. And when comparing product 1 and product 5, where the area of ​​​​the sum of the cross-sections of the gas supply channels is almost in the same values, we observe an increase in the efficiency of the process of saturation of the liquid with CO2 by 2.5 times.From this we can conclude that we can achieve maximum efficiency only if the length of the receiving chamber 5 is equal to the height of the windows 8 of the mixing channel 7.

[0049] Also, when comparing products 5 (4 gas supply channels) and 9 (2 gas supply channels), we do not observe any particular difference in the speed and gas consumption, from which we can conclude that the number of gas supply channels can be any, the main thing is to follow the formula:

[0050] The height of the windows 8 of the gas supply channels 7 is 0.6...0.8 of the diameter of the opening 4 of the diaphragm 3, and the transverse width of the gas supply channels 7 is calculated from the area ratio, where the sum of the cross-sections of the area of ​​the gas supply channels 7 is equal to 1.8-3.2 of the area of ​​the opening 4.

[0051] Thus, the claimed group of inventions makes it possible to increase the degree of saturation of the liquid with carbon dioxide and to increase the period of resistance to decomposition of the mixture into its constituent components.

Claims

Invention formula:

1. A method for saturating a liquid with gas - carbon dioxide, which consists in feeding the liquid from a pressure chamber under pressure through a narrowing device into a receiving chamber, increasing the flow rate of the liquid and creating a vacuum in the receiving chamber by passing the liquid through the opening of the narrowing device, increasing the surface of the liquid by converting it into a state of wet saturated steam, ensuring the passage of carbon dioxide from the gas chamber into the receiving chamber through the feed windows of the gas supply channels across the direction of movement of the liquid, creating a turbulent flow of the vapor-gas mixture in the receiving chamber, mixing the wet saturated steam with carbon dioxide under conditions of an increased mass transfer surface, the mixed medium is fed from the receiving chamber into a mixing chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel with an invariable diameter, in which a vapor-gas mixture is formed due to the turbulence of the flow,after which the resulting steam-gas mixture is fed into a condensation chamber with a diffuser located at the outlet and condensed in the flow to obtain a gaseous mixture, characterized in that a diaphragm with inlet and outlet edges is used as a narrowing device, the initial section of the mixing chamber adjacent to the outlet edge of the diaphragm opening is used as a receiving chamber, at least the temperature of the liquid supplied for mixing and the magnitude of the vacuum in the gas chamber are measured, the specified parameters are controlled and maintained, ensuring an increased degree of dissolution of carbon dioxide in the liquid, and carbon dioxide is directed into the receiving chamber perpendicular to the direction of movement of the liquid supplied to it, while the length of the diaphragm opening in the direction of liquid movement in it is made within 0.1-0.3 of its diameter, the feed windows of the gas supply channels are made with a height in the direction of liquid movement, through the receiving chamber within 0.6-0.8 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, while ensuring the total cross-sectional area of the gas supply channels within 1.8-3.2 of the cross-sectional area of the diaphragm opening, the diameter of the mixing chamber is within 1.1-1.2 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, and the length of the mixing chamber is not less than six times its internal diameter.

2. The method according to item 1, characterized in that the walls of each gas supply channel in the projection of the channel cross-section onto the receiving chamber are located within the boundaries of the receiving chamber.

3. The method according to item 1, characterized in that the magnitude of the vacuum in the gas chamber is measured after briefly blocking the entrance to the gas chamber, without stopping the mixing process.

4. A device for saturating a liquid with carbon dioxide gas, comprising a housing with a liquid pressure chamber, a constriction device, a receiving chamber with a cylindrical inner surface arranged in series therein, located coaxially with the opening of the constriction device and communicated with the gas chamber by means of feed windows of gas supply channels arranged transversely to the geometric longitudinal axis of the opening of the receiving chamber, a mixing chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the opening of the constriction device, a condensation chamber made in the form of a longitudinal channel coaxial with the mixing chamber and a diffuser located at the outlet of the condensation chamber, characterized in that the constriction device is made in the form of a diaphragm installed at the outlet of the pressure chamber, with an opening having an inlet and outlet edge, wherein the length of the diaphragm opening in the direction of liquid movement in it is made within 0.1 - 0.3 of its diameter,the receiving chamber is made at the initial section of the mixing chamber adjacent to the outlet edge of the diaphragm opening, the feed windows of the gas supply channels are made with a height in the direction of movement of the liquid through the receiving chamber, chamber within 0.6-0.8 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, while ensuring the total cross-sectional area of the gas supply channels within 1.8-3.2 of the cross-sectional area of the diaphragm opening, the diameter of the mixing chamber is within 1.1-1.2 of the diameter of the diaphragm opening, and the length of the mixing chamber is not less than six times its internal diameter.

5. The device according to item 4, characterized in that the radial width of the gas supply channel from its longitudinal axis to the wall of the channel in the cross-section of the receiving chamber is made no greater than the radius of the receiving chamber.

6. The device according to item 4, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the gas supply channel is made in the form of a geometric figure.

7. The device according to item 4, characterized in that a device for measuring the temperature of the liquid in it is installed in the pressure chamber.

8. The device according to item 4, characterized in that the gas chamber is equipped with a damper installed with the possibility of blocking the entrance to the chamber, and a device for measuring the pressure in the gas chamber is installed at the entrance to the gas chamber.

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