Carbonator Mixing Channel With Alternating Sections for CO2 Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-line carbonators face challenges in consistently producing carbonated beverages under varying operating conditions, such as temperature and pressure fluctuations, often resulting in poorly carbonated beverages or CO2 gas slugs.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with a channel structure featuring alternating wide and narrow sections, promoting turbulent flow, combined with a two-step mixing process using a CO2 inlet nozzle and admixing passage, ensures effective mixing of CO2 gas with the beverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional in-line carbonator is used, then the beverage can be carbonated, but the carbonation quality deteriorates under varying operating conditions (temperature and pressure fluctuations)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically adjustable mixing chamber volume through a movable partition or adjustable valve system. This allows the mixing chamber volume to be varied in response to changing operating conditions (temperature, pressure, flow rate), enabling the carbonator to adapt and maintain reliable carbonation quality across different scenarios. The dynamic adjustment compensates for variations in CO2 solubility and mixing efficiency under different conditions.
2Productivity
If CO2 gas is mixed into water under high pressure, then carbonation efficiency improves, but the complexity of the system increases due to pressure control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a diffuser element that passively facilitates CO2 dissolution into the beverage stream without requiring active pressure control mechanisms. The diffuser creates turbulent flow and increases gas-liquid contact area, enabling efficient carbonation to occur at lower, more stable pressures. This self-service approach allows the system to achieve high carbonation efficiency while avoiding the complexity of sophisticated pressure regulation systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If the mixing channel has a uniform cross-section, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the mixing efficiency of CO2 gas and beverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mixing channel into multiple sections with varying cross-sectional areas, creating a segmented structure with alternating wide and narrow portions. This segmentation generates turbulent flow patterns and enhances gas-liquid mixing efficiency. While more complex than a uniform channel, the segmented design can be manufactured using standard molding or machining techniques, achieving a balance between manufacturing feasibility and mixing performance.
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 configuration ensures consistent and efficient carbonation of beverages, maintaining optimal CO2 dissolution across different operating conditions, producing a well-carbonated beverage.
Implementation Method 1
The mixing channel comprises wide channel sections and narrow channel sections along the main direction. The mixing channel has an elongated cross section seen in a direction perpendicular to the main direction. At least a first delimiting surface of the mixing channel is provided with protrusions extending at least partially along the first delimiting surface in a direction across the mixing channel and protruding towards a second delimiting surface of the mixing channel to form the narrow channel sections.
Implementation Method 2
CO2 gas, is mixed with beverage, such as water or flavoured water, to produce a carbonated beverage. The CO2 gas dissolves at least partially in the water and forms carbonic acid, H2CO3. The CO2 is weakly soluble in water, therefore it separates back into CO2 gas, which form the bubbles consumers associate with carbonated beverages.
Implementation Method 3
At least a first delimiting surface of the mixing channel is provided with protrusions extending at least partially along the first delimiting surface in a direction across the mixing channel and protruding towards a second delimiting surface of the mixing channel to form the narrow channel sections.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a mixing device (2) for a beverage and CO2 gas for producing carbonated beverage. The mixing device (2) having a mixing channel (4) extending in a main direction (10). The mixing channel (4) includes: 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 having a carbonator, and a method of producing a carbonated beverage are provided.