Carbonation Mixing Channel Geometry for Stable CO2 Dissolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In-line carbonators face challenges in producing consistent carbonated beverages due to varying water temperature and pressure conditions, leading to either under-carbonation or CO2 gas slugs, and existing designs with micro-porous materials can be inefficient under changing operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with an elongated cross-section and protrusions forming narrow and wide channel sections promotes turbulent flow, combined with a two-step mixing process using a CO2 inlet arrangement with an admixing passage and nozzle, ensuring effective mixing of CO2 with beverages across different conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If micro-porous material is used for CO2 diffusion, then CO2 mixing with beverage is achieved, but liquid penetration into pores under pressure variations causes operational instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the micro-porous material from the system and replaces it with a smooth-bore mixing chamber. CO2 injection is achieved through a nozzle that introduces gas directly into the liquid stream, eliminating the pore structure that causes liquid penetration and operational instability under pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing process is divided into distinct zones: a first mixing zone where CO2 is injected into the liquid stream, and a second mixing zone where further mixing occurs. This segmentation allows controlled mixing without relying on porous structures that are sensitive to pressure changes.
2Volume of moving object
If in-line carbonation is used, then space efficiency is improved, but consistent carbonation under varying temperature and pressure conditions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is designed with specific geometric features including a tapered configuration and defined flow paths that dynamically adapt to varying flow conditions. The geometry promotes turbulent mixing and ensures consistent CO2 dissolution regardless of variations in temperature or pressure, maintaining reliable carbonation in a compact in-line configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a CO2 nozzle to inject gas directly into the liquid stream, utilizing fluid dynamics to achieve effective mixing. The design leverages the interaction between gas injection and liquid flow to ensure consistent carbonation without requiring large equipment, maintaining compact size while improving reliability.
3Productivity
If turbulent flow is promoted through narrow channel sections, then CO2 and beverage mixing is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mixing functions into a single integrated mixing chamber with a tapered geometry. The chamber incorporates both the CO2 injection zone and the mixing zone in one structure, using the tapered walls to naturally promote turbulent flow and enhance mixing efficiency without requiring separate complex components or multiple narrow channel sections.
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 solution achieves consistent and efficient carbonation of beverages by maintaining turbulent flow and ensuring thorough mixing of CO2 into beverages, regardless of temperature and pressure variations, resulting in a well-carbonated beverage.
Implementation Method 1
the beverage is subjected to turbulent flow through the mixing channel. The turbulent flow is upheld by the beverage passing in the main direction over a protrusion in each narrow channel section into a following wide channel section
Implementation Method 2
The CO2 gas dissolves at least partially in the water and forms carbonic acid, H2CO3
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
There is provided a mixing device (2) for a beverage and CO2 gas for producing carbonated beverage. The mixing device (2) comprising a mixing channel (4) extending in a main direction (10). The mixing channel (4) comprises wide channel sections (16) and narrow channel sections (18) along the main direction (10). The mixing channel (4) has an elongated cross section seen in a direction perpendicular to the main direction (10). At least a first delimiting surface (22) of the mixing channel (4) is provided with protrusions (20) extending at least partially along the first delimiting surface (22) in a direction across the mixing channel (4) and protruding towards a second delimiting surface (24) of the mixing channel (4) to form the narrow channel sections (18). A turbulent flow of beverage is created by the narrow and wide channel sections. Further a carbonator for producing carbonated beverage, an appliance comprising a carbonator, and a method of producing a carbonated beverage are provided.