In-Line Beverage Carbonation with Venturi Mixing and Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbonation devices for water-based beverages require cooling units, which increase manufacturing and operational costs, and often result in insufficient gas dissolution at warmer temperatures due to pressure drops caused by static mixers.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a corrugated flexible pipe and a conical flow restrictor to maintain pressure and promote gradual gas dissolution, eliminating the need for cooling units and achieving high gas dissolution without significant pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cooling unit is added to improve gas dissolution, then carbonation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the cooling unit from the carbonation device, extracting the problematic component that increased complexity and cost. The patent achieves effective carbonation through the venturi nozzle design and pressure control alone, without requiring active cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by optimizing pressure control (maintaining 1.5-2 bar in the mixing chamber) and using the venturi effect to achieve gas dissolution without cooling. This parameter optimization allows the system to function effectively at ambient temperatures.
2Productivity
If a static mixer is added to improve mixing rate, then gas dissolution is improved, but pressure drop increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the static mixer from the system, eliminating the component that caused excessive pressure drop and complexity. The patent achieves adequate mixing through the venturi nozzle design and controlled pressure differential alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the mixing function with the venturi nozzle itself, merging what were previously separate functions (venturi for gas introduction and static mixer for mixing) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for additional mixing elements.
3Productivity
If a static mixer is added to improve mixing rate, then gas dissolution is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the static mixer from the system, eliminating the component that caused excessive pressure drop and complexity. The patent achieves adequate mixing through the venturi nozzle design and controlled pressure differential alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the mixing function with the venturi nozzle itself, merging what were previously separate functions (venturi for gas introduction and static mixer for mixing) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for additional mixing elements.
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 device achieves efficient gas dissolution in water-based beverages at room temperature, maintaining high carbonation levels with a simple construction, reducing costs and preventing foaming.
Implementation Method 1
a flow mixer with a venturi nozzle having a rotationally symmetrical contraction and being flown through axially by the liquid stream
Implementation Method 2
A device utilizing a corrugated flexible pipe and a conical flow restrictor to maintain pressure and promote gradual gas dissolution
Implementation Method 3
The pipe is a corrugated pipe, preferably a flexible corrugated pipe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention is directed to a device (1) and a process for dissolving a gas into a liquid like carbonating a water based beverage, comprising a pump (4) for the liquid, a mixing venture nozzle (8) with a main inlet (10) fluidly connected to the pump (4), at least one side inlet (14) connectable to a source of pressurized gas (6), and an outlet. The device (1) comprises also a conical flow restrictor (24) fluidly downstream of the mixing venture nozzle (8), and a pipe (20) of a length of at least 0.5m fluidly interconnected between the mixing venture nozzle (8) and the flow restrictor (24).