In-Line Venturi Carbonation Without Cooling for Water-Based Beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbonation devices for water-based beverages require cooling units, which increase costs and are inefficient at warmer temperatures due to low carbon dioxide dissolution, and often include complex static mixers that are expensive and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a mixing venturi nozzle with a conical flow restrictor and a corrugated pipe connected downstream, which maintains high pressure and promotes gas dissolution without the need for a cooling unit, using a pump to pressurize the liquid to at least 8 bar and a conical flow restrictor to maintain pressure between 6 and 10 bar, facilitating in-line carbonation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a cooling unit is added to the carbonation device, then the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in water is improved, but the manufacturing and running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from atmospheric to high pressure (8-10 bar) to achieve effective carbonation without cooling. The venturi nozzle creates a pressure differential that allows CO2 to dissolve in water at elevated pressures, eliminating the need for thermal cooling while maintaining high carbonation levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic pressure differentials created by the venturi nozzle to force CO2 gas into the water stream. The high-velocity gas flow through the venturi creates a low-pressure zone that draws water in and forces CO2 dissolution, using fluid dynamics rather than thermal cooling to achieve carbonation.
2Productivity
If a static mixer is added to the carbonation device, then the mixing rate of carbon dioxide with liquid is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the self-mixing capability of the venturi nozzle itself, where the high-velocity gas and liquid streams automatically mix through turbulent flow and pressure differentials. The venturi geometry creates inherent mixing action without requiring separate static mixer elements, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the mixing function into the venturi nozzle structure itself. The venturi nozzle performs both the fluid acceleration and mixing functions in a single integrated component, rather than requiring separate mixing elements downstream. This consolidation eliminates the need for complex static mixers while maintaining effective CO2-liquid mixing.
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 high carbonation levels (up to 8 gr/liter) at room temperature without a cooling system, with a simple construction that reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs and maintains pressure for effective gas dissolution.
Implementation Method 1
using a pump to pressurize the liquid to at least 8 bar
Implementation Method 2
a mixing venturi nozzle with a main inlet fluidly connected to the pump, at least one side inlet connectable to a source of pressurized gas
Implementation Method 3
a conical flow restrictor to maintain pressure between 6 and 10 bar
Data Source
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 0.5 m fluidly interconnected between the mixing venture nozzle (8) and the flow restrictor (24).