In-line Carbonator with Chilling Reservoir for Fresh Beverage Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Batch carbonation processes in beverage dispensers result in stale carbonated water due to storage and lack of customizable carbonation levels, as they carbonate water in batches rather than continuously on demand.
Innovation Solution
An in-line carbonation system utilizing a hollow fiber membrane carbonator integrated with a chilling reservoir, allowing for continuous carbonation of water on demand, with customizable carbonation levels achieved by varying CO2 pressure, and eliminating the need for stored carbonated water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch carbonation process is used to carbonate water in a mixing tank, then carbonated water can be produced, but the carbonated water becomes stale due to storage and fixed carbonation levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from batch carbonation to continuous in-line carbonation where water is carbonated continuously as it flows through the hollow fiber membrane carbonator integrated with the chilling reservoir, eliminating storage and maintaining freshness
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of carbonation levels by varying CO2 pressure in real-time during the carbonation process, allowing customizable carbonation levels rather than fixed batch carbonation
2Quantity of substance
If batch carbonation process is used with a mixing tank, then carbonated water can be stored, but storage causes staleness and quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system carbonates water continuously on-demand as it flows through the integrated carbonator-chilling reservoir, eliminating the need for storage and ensuring fresh carbonated water is produced only when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the carbonation function from a separate batch mixing tank and integrates it directly into the water flow path within the chilling reservoir, eliminating the storage intermediate step that causes staleness
3Productivity
If hollow fiber membrane carbonator is integrated with chilling reservoir, then continuous carbonation on demand is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the carbonation function and chilling function into a single integrated unit where the hollow fiber membrane carbonator is positioned within the chilling reservoir, combining two separate processes into one compact device
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated chilling reservoir serves multiple functions: it chills the water, houses the carbonation chamber, and provides the structural framework for the entire system, reducing the need for separate components
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
Provides fresh, customizable carbonated water by carbonating water only when needed, reducing costs and maintaining carbonation quality, unlike traditional batch systems which store carbonated water and offer fixed carbonation levels.
Implementation Method 1
Water in a carbonator tank is mixed with carbon dioxide gas from a pressurized source. The carbon dioxide gas is absorbed in the water to form carbonated water
Implementation Method 2
The chilling reservoir also includes a heat exchanger arrangement that is positioned and configured to be selectively operated to chill beverage material passing through the first beverage material pathway
Implementation Method 3
The chilling reservoir includes a housing defining a first beverage material pathway extending therethrough... configured to be selectively operated to chill beverage material passing through the first beverage material pathway
Data Source
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AI summary
A chilling reservoir for providing in-line carbonation in a beverage dispenser includes a housing having a first beverage material pathway extending therethrough. The first beverage material pathway may have a flow inlet arrangement and a flow outlet arrangement. The chilling reservoir also includes a heat exchanger arrangement that is positioned and configured to be selectively operated to chill beverage material passing through the first beverage material pathway. The chilling reservoir also includes a carbonation chamber operably positioned in the first beverage material pathway of the housing. The carbonation chamber may be configured to removably receive therein a carbonator.