CO2 Dispensing Valve Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for regulating CO2 flow at pressures below the triple point face challenges in achieving accurate and adjustable flow rates, leading to clogging issues and limited use scenarios, especially when transitioning from liquid to solid and gaseous phases.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a pressurization fluid to dynamically adjust the pressure difference across a valve, allowing for continuous and accurate regulation of CO2 flow, replacing the reliance on spring forces for pressure control, and enabling flexible operation with varying flow rates and geometries to manage the transition of CO2 from liquid to solid and gaseous phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If liquid CO2 is dispensed through calibrated holes with ON-OFF valves, then the dispensing system is simple, but the flow rate regulation is imprecise and cannot be continuously adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static ON-OFF valves with dynamic control elements that enable continuous flow rate adjustment. The system uses a control valve with variable opening degree to dynamically regulate CO2 flow, allowing precise control from 0 to maximum flow rate, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and flow rate regulation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by maintaining pressure above the triple point (5.1 atm) throughout the dispensing system. This parameter change allows CO2 to remain in liquid phase through the entire conduit system, enabling continuous flow rate adjustment without phase change complications, thus achieving both simplicity and precision.
2Speed
If the pressure difference between store and use apparatus is high, then the dispensing speed is fast, but the flow rate control becomes difficult and requires very small calibrated holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate pressure regulation stage with a control valve between the high-pressure store and the low-pressure use apparatus. This intermediary device allows gradual pressure reduction and continuous flow rate control, eliminating the need for very small calibrated holes while maintaining fast dispensing capability through proper pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic pressure control through a variable opening control valve to adjust flow rate continuously. This dynamic regulation allows operators to control flow rate easily across a wide range without requiring precisely dimensioned small holes, resolving the contradiction between dispensing speed and control ease.
3Use of energy by moving object
If CO2 is dispensed in liquid phase, then energy efficiency is improved by avoiding vaporization, but clogging occurs in pipes and conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter throughout the entire dispensing system to remain above the triple point (5.1 atm). This parameter change ensures CO2 remains in liquid phase from store to use apparatus without phase change to solid, eliminating clogging while maintaining energy efficiency by avoiding vaporization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary pressure equalization by maintaining adequate pressure throughout the conduit system before CO2 reaches the use apparatus. This preliminary action prevents pressure drop that would cause phase change to solid, thereby preventing clogging while keeping the system energy-efficient.
4Length of stationary object
If the conduit length is increased to reach remote apparatus, then the coverage area is expanded, but the probability of clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains pressure above the triple point throughout the entire extended conduit system. This parameter change allows liquid CO2 to flow through long conduits without phase change to solid, enabling remote apparatus to be served without increased clogging probability despite increased conduit length.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuous liquid phase flow through proper pressure maintenance and conduit design, preventing intermittent solid formation that would cause clogging. This continuous liquid flow action allows extended conduit lengths to operate reliably without clogging issues.
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 solution provides precise control over CO2 flow rates, reducing clogging risks and extending the use of CO2 in applications like carbonation and pH control, with improved energy and cost efficiency by allowing liquid phase use without prior vaporization, achieving sensitivity and accuracy in flow regulation.
Implementation Method 1
A device and method utilizing a pressurization fluid to dynamically adjust the pressure difference across a valve, allowing for continuous and accurate regulation of CO2 flow
Implementation Method 2
enabling flexible operation with varying flow rates and geometries to manage the transition of CO2 from liquid to solid and gaseous phases
Implementation Method 3
regulating in a continuous and accurate manner a flow of liquid CO2 towards apparatuses wherein the pressure is lower than that of its triple point, that is in environments wherein the CO2 can exist only in the solid state, commonly known also as carbonic snow, and aeriform state but not in the liquid one
Data Source
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AI summary
Dispensing device (OE/A; OE/B; OE/C), connected via a conduit (CA) to a store of liquid CO2 and apt to supply variable flow rates of said liquid CO2 in a use apparatus (UT) operating at a pressure lower than that of its triple point, comprising: a hollow outer body (11; 40) extended along an axis X defining internally at least one hollow part (21; 55-1; 55-2; 56-1; 56-2), provided with a first inlet (14; 43) in order to allow the passage of a flow of CO2 (L+V), coming from said store towards said use apparatus (UT) via an outlet (17), and a mobile component (CM) apt to slide inside said hollow outer body (11; 40) in order to vary the area of the section of passage of the outlet (17) for the flow (L+V) of CO2, acting on said mobile component (CM) a pressure (Pa) of said flow of CO2 (L+V) and a pressure Pu of said use apparatus (UT), as well as a pressure contrary to Pa, characterised in that in said hollow outer body (11) a second inlet (12; 41) is provided for feeding a fluid (G), apt to exert on the mobile component (CM) a pressure Pc contrary to Pa.