Carbonated Drink Dispenser Back Pressure Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbonated drink dispensing systems experience significant CO2 loss due to sudden pressure relaxation in flow regulators and pressure drops in filters, leading to retrograde contamination and reduced flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system design where a carbonated drink passes through a flow regulator followed by a filter, with the filter generating back pressure to maintain the CO2 dissolved in the drink above ambient pressure, preventing sudden relaxation and using dead-end filters for sterilization to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flow regulator is used to control flow rate, then flow rate adjustment is achieved, but significant CO2 loss occurs due to sudden pressure relaxation
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pressure regulation function into two separate components: a flow regulator for flow rate control and a back pressure regulator for pressure maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without causing CO2 loss - the flow regulator adjusts flow without sudden pressure drops, while the back pressure regulator maintains equilibrium pressure to prevent CO2 escape.
Solution Approach 2:
A back pressure regulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the flow regulator and the dispensing point. This intermediary maintains the necessary back pressure to keep CO2 dissolved in the carbonated drink, preventing harmful CO2 loss while still allowing flow rate adjustment through the flow regulator.
2Reliability
If filters are used to prevent retrograde contamination, then system protection is improved, but pressure drop increases with duration of use reducing flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the increasing pressure drop in filters over time by introducing a back pressure regulator that actively maintains the required pressure differential. This parameter change approach ensures that even as the filter becomes more restrictive with use, the back pressure regulator adjusts to maintain sufficient pressure to drive flow through the filter, preventing flow rate reduction.
3Productivity
If pressure drop in filter is increased to maintain flow rate, then flow stability is improved, but CO2 loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control function is segmented into two independent regulators: the flow regulator that maintains stable flow rate and the back pressure regulator that maintains equilibrium pressure. This segmentation allows the flow regulator to create the necessary pressure drop for flow stability without causing CO2 loss, while the back pressure regulator independently maintains the pressure needed to keep CO2 dissolved.
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
This design effectively prevents CO2 loss and retrograde contamination while maintaining a stable flow rate and CO2 content, ensuring a consistent carbonated drink quality.
Implementation Method 1
the filter generating back pressure to maintain the CO2 dissolved in the drink above ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
the carbonated drink experiences a pressure drop when passing through the filter, with the pressure drop being greater than the equilibrium pressure of the barbonated drink
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for drawing a carbonated drink from a dispenser system, in which the carbonated drink is conducted via a line through a flow controller and a filter that is downstream of said flow controller. The invention also relates to a dispenser system and to a cartridge unit comprising a filter.