Domestic Carbonation Container With PCM Cooling to Prevent Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household carbonating devices require pre-cooling of water or post-cooling of carbonated beverages to achieve a chilled temperature, which can lead to freezing issues and require maintenance-intensive cold storage systems.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a latent cold storage device using synthetic phase change materials with a phase change temperature above 0°C, such as paraffin, to cool beverages without freezing, combined with a carbonation container that functions as a pressure container and includes a flow heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used to cool beverages to chilled temperatures, then the beverage temperature can be reduced below 10°C, but the liquid may freeze and the system requires maintenance-intensive cold storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the phase change temperature parameter of the cooling medium from 0°C (water/ice) to above 0°C (e.g., -10°C to 0°C range) by using organic phase change materials. This parameter change allows the cooling system to operate at temperatures sufficient to chill beverages below 10°C while maintaining a safety margin that prevents freezing of the beverage liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition (melting/freezing) of organic phase change materials as the core cooling mechanism. The phase change material absorbs heat during melting and releases heat during freezing, providing automatic temperature regulation. This phase transition mechanism replaces conventional compressor-based cooling systems, eliminating the need for maintenance-intensive equipment while reliably preventing beverage freezing through controlled phase change at temperatures above 0°C.
2Temperature
If conventional cooling systems are used to achieve chilled beverages, then the desired cooling effect is obtained, but the system requires maintenance-intensive cold storage
Solution Approach 1:
The phase change material system is self-regulating through automatic phase transitions. When the temperature drops below the phase change point, the material freezes and releases heat, automatically warming the beverage. When the temperature rises above the phase change point, the material melts and absorbs heat, automatically cooling the beverage. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, compressors, or maintenance-intensive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive compressor-based cooling systems with simple, inexpensive phase change material containers. These passive cooling containers can be refilled with phase change material and do not require mechanical components, electrical connections, or professional maintenance, making them suitable for consumer-level applications.
3Temperature
If water-based phase change materials are used for cooling, then the cooling capacity is sufficient, but the liquid to be cooled may freeze
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the phase change temperature parameter from 0°C (water-based materials) to a range above 0°C (e.g., -10°C to 0°C) by selecting organic phase change materials with appropriate melting points. This parameter change provides a temperature buffer that allows effective cooling of beverages to chilled temperatures while maintaining the beverage temperature above its freezing point, thereby preventing ice formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses organic phase change materials (such as paraffin or other organic compounds) instead of water-based materials. These organic materials have inherently different thermal properties, including higher phase change temperatures and appropriate specific heat capacities, making them suitable for applications where preventing freezing of the cooled substance is critical.
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 a reliable means to prevent freezing of liquids, requires minimal maintenance, and allows for the delivery of carbonated beverages at temperatures below 10°C, with the option to dispense both carbonated and still water, while enabling flavoring and efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
uses the energy of a thermodynamic phase change (phase transition) from liquid to solid, in particular from liquid to crystalline, when the a phase change temperature of above 0°C
Implementation Method 2
In phase change materials (PCM materials), the latent heat, particularly the heat of fusion, is much greater than the heat that it can store due to its normal specific heat capacity
Implementation Method 3
the carbonation container that functions as a pressure container and includes a flow heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a carbonating device for carbonating liquid, in particular water or a water-based drink, comprising water supply means, preferably a water connection for connecting to a water pipe and/or a water tank, and a carbonating container (6) for carbonizing means that can be supplied with CO2 associated with liquid. According to the invention, the carbonization container (6) is assigned a latent cold store for cooling the liquid contained therein, comprising a preferably synthetic phase change material (31) which, for cold storage, absorbs the enthalpy of a thermodynamic phase change from liquid to solid, in particular crystalline, when a Phase change temperature is formed using above 0 ° C.