Variable Annular Gap Carbonation Injector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carbonation systems for beverages require high flow velocities and pressures, leading to energy-intensive operation and poor cleaning efficiency due to complex geometries, while alternative systems result in insufficient CO2 saturation and foaming.
Innovation Solution
A device with a variable annular gap and displacement body allows for adjustable operation within and outside the cavitation regime, enabling efficient CO2 saturation and easy cleaning by varying the opening area of the gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cavitation injectors are used with high flow velocities, then high-quality CO2 saturation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The injector employs a movable displacement body that can dynamically adjust the opening area of the annular gap between inlet and outlet. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the cavitation effect for high CO2 saturation while reducing flow velocity requirements, thereby lowering energy consumption compared to conventional fixed-geometry injectors that require high flow velocities to achieve cavitation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the annular gap by varying the opening area through displacement body movement. This parameter change enables the system to achieve cavitation at lower flow velocities, resolving the contradiction between achieving high CO2 saturation (requiring cavitation) and reducing energy consumption (requiring lower velocities)
2Reliability
If conventional cavitation injectors with constrictions are used, then high CO2 saturation is achieved, but cleaning efficiency deteriorates due to complex geometries
Solution Approach 1:
The injector is segmented into distinct functional zones: a simple inlet, a variable annular gap region, and an outlet. The displacement body creates the necessary constriction dynamically rather than through complex fixed geometries. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design (easy to clean) while collectively achieving the cavitation effect required for high CO2 saturation
Solution Approach 2:
By using a movable displacement body to create the constriction dynamically, the invention eliminates the need for complex fixed constrictions and annular gaps. The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the same simple geometry to achieve varying flow conditions, maintaining ease of cleaning while ensuring effective cavitation for CO2 saturation
3Ease of manufacture
If alternative injectors without cavitation are used, then cleaning becomes easier, but CO2 saturation is insufficient and foaming occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the flow parameters by adjusting the opening area of the annular gap through displacement body movement. This allows the system to achieve cavitation (low static pressure below vapor pressure) when needed for high CO2 saturation, while maintaining simple geometries for easy cleaning. The parameter adjustment enables the system to avoid foaming by controlling cavitation conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The injector design is universal enough to handle both cavitation-based carbonation (for liquids prone to foaming) and non-cavitation operation (for liquids not prone to foaming). The displacement body can adjust the opening area to achieve the appropriate flow regime, making the same simple device suitable for different liquid types without compromising cleaning ease or CO2 saturation quality
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-quality carbonated beverages with high CO2 saturation in an energy-efficient and hygienic manner, adaptable to different liquids with or without cavitation, and facilitates easy cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
At the point of constriction, e.g. in the form of an annular gap, the static pressure of the liquid drops as a result of the Venturi effect and can fall below the vapor pressure, resulting in the formation of gas or vapor bubbles
Implementation Method 2
the static pressure of the liquid drops as a result of the Venturi effect and can fall below the vapor pressure, resulting in the formation of gas or vapor bubbles. This effect is also known as the cavitation effect
Implementation Method 3
When the flow cross-section increases again, the static pressure rises above the vapor pressure and the gas bubbles implode and break up into smaller units. This creates a particularly fine and stable solution of CO2 in the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for carbonating liquids, comprising an inlet for supplying a liquid to be carbonated, a supply for gas, in particular CO2, wherein the gas serves to carbonate the liquid, and an outlet for discharging the carbonated liquid, which is a mixture of the liquid and the gas. Furthermore, an annular gap is arranged between the inlet and the outlet, and the device further comprises a displacement body which is axially displaceable along a flow direction of the liquid, so that upon displacement of the displacement body, an opening area of the annular gap through which the liquid passes can be changed. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for carbonating liquids.