DE102006014814A1 - Impregnator used in production of beer comprises impregnating body arranged in mixing cell and made from porous solid body, especially foam, sponge, hollow fiber module or sintered material - Google Patents

Abstract

An impregnator comprises an impregnating body arranged in a mixing cell and made from a porous solid body, especially a foam, sponge, hollow fiber module or sintered material. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a pressure compensating arrangement for inserting into a drinks feed of a bar arrangement, especially a beer tap arrangement; and (2) a bar arrangement for beer. The impregnating body is formed as a disk which fills the diameter of a mixing tube. The impregnator has a first impregnating body made from a first porous material and a second impregnating body made from one or more porous materials. A head part is penetrated by a liquid channel which opens into the mixing tube.

Description

The The invention relates to an impregnator for displacing a non- or low-gas-containing liquid with gas according to the generic term of claim 1 and new uses of a corresponding impregnator.

Impregnate in the context of the invention, the release of gases in liquids, i.e. the impregnation of liquids with gases.

Imprägnierer of the type described above are used in dispensing equipment from non-carbonated or slightly carbonated beverage precursors by adding the necessary Carbonated ready to drink, carbonated beverages manufacture. In this context, they are also called carbonators designated.

Although the term "carbon dioxide" or "carbonated" is common in beverages, but more specifically, carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is added, which binds for the most part only physically in the liquid and no chemical reaction to carbonic acid (H ₂ CO ₃ ) received.

This physical bond when dissolving gases in liquids is a mass transfer process according to the laws of physical absorption. This exchange process takes place in the gas-liquid phase interfaces. The gas diffuses into the liquid. While non-polar non-electrolytes such as oxygen and nitrogen primarily dissolve in the voids between the liquid molecules, polar electrolytes such as carbon dioxide in water form hydrogen bonds with the equally polar water molecules, which combine with other water molecules to form associates. For example, CO ₂ molecules penetrate very well into the structure of the water molecules. The mass transfer of gases into liquids is described in the simplified form of the first Fick's Law Mi = A (Ci * - C1) = (Di / δi) Aζ (Pi * - P1).

In which
With the mass flow of a gas from the gas phase into the liquid,
A the surface at which the mass transfer takes place,
(Ci * - C1) the concentration gradient between the equilibrium concentration at the phase interface and the instantaneous concentration in the liquid,
δ the length of the transport path from the liquid inside to the phase interface,
Di the diffusion coefficient for gases,
ζ the absorption coefficient (the solubility of gases) as a function of temperature, pressure and material, and
(Pi * - P1) the pressure gradient between the partial pressure of the gas and the currently applied pressure in the liquid
equivalent. Thereafter, the velocity (Mi) at which a state of equilibrium is established in a liquid depends on the concentration gradient, the diffusion coefficient for gas, the absorption coefficient, the surface, the length of the transport path, the prevailing pressure and the temperature.

efficient Substance exchange systems must therefore a big surface have, where the mass transfer can take place. Great turbulence for as possible create short transport routes, as well as a high pressure and low Provide temperatures for the most efficient and rapid mass transfer to reach.

Next known bubble-forming systems, such as stirring systems, Loop reactors or injection systems, which due to their susceptibility and in particular in the injection systems of high apparatus Effort (pressure vessel, Pressure pump, cooling system) and accordingly high operating costs a low cost have reached, in the range of the tap-side beverage fumigation carbonated Carbonators or impregnators enforced the type described.

Such impregnator is used for example in the DE 198 51 360 A1 proposed. It is a Rohrsiebkarbonator, in which a plurality of mixing screens are lined up in a mixing cell designed as a tube to the gas and liquid supply can be connected. The mixing screens in their entirety provide the desired large surface area at which the mass transfer can take place upon dissolution of the carbonic acid in the beverage precursor. Such a Rohrsiebkarbonator is also the patent application DE 100 55 137 A1 refer to.

Such Pipe sieve carbonators, however, are due to the high number of metal screens not only relatively expensive in terms of material costs, but also in terms of the correspondingly complex assembly.

Therefore, also bulk material carbonators have been proposed recently, for example in the German patent application DE 101 60 397 A1 , This document is to be taken from a bulk material carbonator with a mixing cell, which is filled with a bulk material high surface, such as a quartz granules or the like. Other granules, such as plastic granules or VA steel granules were proposed as bulk material. However, the achievable with the bulk material surface is limited. Because the flooding of the bulk material from the impregnator must be avoided, at least in the food industry, so that the bulk material must not be ground arbitrarily finely despite the erfodernisses a large surface in order not to add the necessary restraint systems for the bulk material. Nevertheless, this will not be completely avoided over time, so that bulk carbonators must be replaced relatively frequently. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that such bulk carbohydrates can be cleaned relatively poorly, so that usually the entire bulk material carbonator is exchanged at the cleaning intervals necessary especially in connection with starchy or sugary drinks from a food hygiene point of view.

Of these, Based on the object of the present invention, an impregnator of the type described at the outset, with which, at low production and operating costs a high gas release efficiency is achieved. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention, an impregnator of the type mentioned above, for use in the food industry and is particularly suitable for the production of beer, and the Production of beer and other beverages through the use of a impregnator to improve the type mentioned.

These Task becomes with regard to the impregnator with the features of claim 1, with respect to use by the claims 22 to 25.

According to the invention is one in the mixing cell of the impregnator, into a gas inlet and a liquid inlet opens and out of a drain for the liquid-gas mixture out leads, a impregnation body so arranged that the passage of the liquid and the gas through the mixing cell must forcibly pass through the impregnating body, wherein the impregnation of a porous one Material exists, that is is a porous solid.

there It is advantageous that this solid simply into the mixing cell can be introduced, but also simply be removed from it again can, so on the one hand a cost-effective production and on the other hand a maintenance of the impregnator at the intervals prescribed by the hygiene rules possible is. A flushing out of bulk material is thus effectively avoided without the high costs and the constructive and assembly-side effort as a Rohrsiebkarbonator accrues.

Of the porous or pore-containing solids can be any pore-containing material with a large surface, For example, from sintered materials, woven, knitted, woven or Filzfestkörper, or sponge or foamed Materials or the like. Also a hollow fiber module made of hollow Plastic fibers, the size of a Hair can be made would be possible. These materials are cheap and in particular the sintered solids with greater Uniformity of Pore size and arrangement producible, so not only in economic terms advantages but also in terms of the quality of the impregnation or carbonization of the gas to be impregnated, in particular to carbonizing liquid.

Especially easy and inexpensive it is when the impregnation body as a disc filling the diameter of the mixing tube is formed, so that the liquid, but also the gas must forcibly flow through the impregnating body and at the big one surface at the pores of the solid in solution goes.

It would be, however also conceivable, the impregnation with a version - for example To provide plastic and thus a diameter advantageous To form as a mixing tube formed mixing cell impregnating impregnating cartridge.

When Material for the impregnating are suitable all of the materials listed above. Especially in sintered materials can however big Phase interfaces and turbulence in the flow be generated. Depending on the desired Gas, liquid, and composition of the starting mixture are different Sintering materials with different pore sizes ready, so the impregnator by selecting the appropriate material for the impregnation to the respective specifications can be coordinated. Depending on the requirements, also on the resistance and food compatibility the impregnating body can Sintered material made of glass, ceramic, plastic or metal used come.

A further advantageous embodiment relates to a Vorimprägnierstufe with which the liquid and the gas is mixed as intensively and quickly before reaching the impregnating. For this purpose, it has proved to be suitable if the gas is supplied through a Vorimprägnierkörper through which generates turbulence in the gas flow, at which the gas flow is decelerated and distributed over a large area. As a material for Vorimprägnierkörper a gas-permeable, but liquid-impermeable material has been found to be suitable, in particular a semi-permeable or hydrophobic material, preferably even if a sintered material, since this ensures that no liquid keitsrücklauf in the direction of the gas inlet can occur and the pre-mixing takes place in the Vorkabonisierungsstufe, wherein the gas flow is split into microbubbles on the phase boundary of the sintered material and then the liquid is supplied.

In This connection has a further advantageous development The invention has proven to be particularly suitable, after a Vorverwirbelungsstufe is provided. The Vorverwirbelungsstufe is advantageous designed to be the liquid a swirl component gives, which in the transverse direction to the inflow direction of the liquid the liquid feed is aligned in the mixing cell. This can be done with the Vorverwirbelungsstufe advantageously guide vanes o. The like. Have, in particular a with equipped with the guide vanes Paddlewheel. Alternative or supplementary could do this the Vorverwirbelungsstufe also twist pieces on the mixing cell inner wall and / or at the preimpregnating sleeve outer wall include. The Vorverwirbelungsstufe swirls the liquid inlet flow or put them by means of twisting pieces in rotation, whereby with high turbulence as short as possible transport routes Mass transfer, in particular in cooperation with the Vorimprägnierstufe be achieved.

The The invention is not limited to an impregnator having an impregnating body. Rather, several can Impregnating body in Series switched to be arranged in the mixing cell. Everybody can do that or some of the impregnating body different materials so that the mixing properties of the impregnator even better on the respective fluid, or gas or desired Starting composition can be tuned.

Advantageous is also a the mixing cell gas and liquid supply side against the surrounding sealing head piece provided, which with a connection for a liquid supply line and a Connection for a gas supply line is provided. The impregnator can thus easily be installed in existing systems.

Prefers is the impregnator as one piece Produced end product, for example as a one-piece injection-molded component with shrink-wrapped Impregnator. alternative to the impregnator but also be constructed in such a way that it is disassembled in its individual parts and can be cleaned, with a simple replacement of the or the impregnating body, the Vorimprägnierstufe and Vorverwirbelungsstufe possible is.

If the head piece is bolted to the mixing tube and the gas inlet centric in the mixing tube opens and the fluid channel eccentric or annullar, the preimpregnation stage may be a preimpregnation sleeve, which encloses a gas outlet and against the liquid seals, the gas outlet, for example, on a mixing tube inside to the head piece screwed pipe stub can be provided. It is advantageous when the pipe stub at its end facing away from the head piece with a Plate is provided, with which the pre-impregnation against the head piece clamped is and on the head piece the opposite end is sealable. If in addition between the head piece and the Preimpregnation sleeve one further sealing disc is provided, can be sure that the gas inflow completely into the mixing cell through the preimpregnation stage or sleeve through.

Furthermore, for mixing in a second gas, a second gas supply line connection may be provided on the mixing cell. It would also be conceivable, for this purpose, to connect a plurality of impregnators in series in such a way that the outflow of a preceding impregnator is connected to the liquid feed of a subsequent impregnator so as to create an impregnation plant for mixing a liquid with a plurality of gases. Such impregnators with multiple gas connections can be advantageously used to offset a non-carbonated or only slightly CO ₂ -containing beer precursor with CO ₂ and nitrogen. Nitrogen is added to beers - at least in non-banned countries - for better foam durability, whereas CO ₂ beer precursors must be added, which are not or only slightly CO ₂ -containing.

Further advantageous uses of the impregnator according to the invention are obtained when adding a beverage precursor with aromas, since aromas or fragrances are often present in gaseous form. This use is particularly suitable for substances that are not long lasting when mixed or in low concentrations, and must be freshly prepared on an ongoing basis. By way of example, an apple juice with a cherry flavor could be added. A similar advantageous use has already been mentioned in connection with the impregnator with two gas feeds. Of course, the impregnators according to the invention, which have only one gas inlet, can also be used with particular advantage to displace a non-bubbling or weakly bubbling, or non-weak or weakly CO ₂ -containing beer precursor with Co ₂ . On the other hand, they can also be used to treat beer or beer precursor with nitrogen.

In the context of the invention, it is of course possible to freely combine the various claimed features, as far as it makes sense seems. The invention is not limited to the claimed uses.

Thus, a using any suitable impregnator for displacing beer with nitrogen or for displacing a Getränkevorprodukts with gaseous flavorings or mover could not or weakly-CO ₂ -containing be made beer precursors with CO ₂ to the subject of a separate application.

in the The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The 1 shows a sectional view through an impregnator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With 1 is called the tubular mixing cell. In the mixing cell are disk-shaped impregnating body 11 . 13 . 15 pressed in series one after the other, so that the mixing cell 1 flowing liquid and that the mixing cell 1 flowing gas or the already premixed gas-liquid mixture through the impregnating 11 . 13 . 15 must pass through and so on the surface of the pores indicated with points can go into solution. Here, as seen from the inlet side is the first impregnating body 11 from a finer porous sintered material than the two subsequent impregnating 13 . 15 ,

The impregnation body is followed by a 10 designated calming section, in which the turbulent flow from the drain side impregnating body 15 leaking gas-liquid mixture is calmed to a laminar flow Strö before passing through a drain opening 7 exits the impregnator and is passed, for example, to a tap in the dispenser.

The drainpipe 7 is in one on the mixing tube 1 provided screwed lid, which is sealed with an O-ring against the mixing tube. The inlet side is the mixing tube 1 also with a screwed-in component, a head piece 21 sealed and sealed with an O-ring.

To the head piece 21 On the one hand - in the drawing on the left - the gas supply G on and on the other hand - in the drawing on the right - the liquid supply F can be connected. This is the head piece 21 penetrated by a gas supply channel, which via a pipe stub 3 opens into the mixing cell, and of a liquid passageway, which at one with 6 designated point eccentric in the mixing cell 1 empties. Both gas supply side and liquid supply side threaded holes are provided in the head piece, in each of which fittings 33 . 31 are screwed, in each of which a check valve 29 . 27 is received, with the gas or liquid supply channel against return from the mixing cell 1 are secured. Into the gas supply side fitting 33 is in turn a connecting pin 23 screwed, which can be plugged into a gas supply line, whereas on the liquid supply side, a connecting pin 25 in the local connector 31 is screwed, on which a liquid hose can be attached with a suitable plug. In this case, the gas supply channel in the region of the gas supply-side connecting pin 23 one with 22 designated cross-sectional constriction, which as a pressure-limiting nozzle 22 serves. With the pressure limiting nozzle 22 ensures that the gas pressure is not so high that the gas displaces the liquid in the mixing cell, while the gas pressure and above the mixing process still remains sufficiently controllable.

The above-mentioned pipe stub 3 , in which the headpiece penetrating gas supply channel opens centrally, in this case has at its the head piece 21 opposite side a plate 5 or a circumferential shoulder 5 on, and is at its head 21 facing side screwed into the provided with an internal thread, centric to the mixing tube central axis A extending gas supply channel. Between the plate 5 and a corresponding to current stop on the head piece 21 is a pre-impregnation sleeve 17 clamped. The pre-impregnation sleeve 17 is on the headpiece side with an inner shoulder on a paddle wheel 19 trained sealing ring sealed against the head piece and the other end against the plate 5 of the pipe stub 3 , wherein in the drawing the pipe stub 3 is shown in a not yet fully entered into the threaded hole in the head state. The paddle wheel 19 has distributed over its circumference vanes, with those at the liquid inlet 6 into the mixing cell 1 entering liquid is placed in a spiral swirling flow. The gas inlet into the mixing cell 1 forming pipe stub 3 has, however, on its peripheral surfaces two slots 4 on, through which the gas from the gas supply channel through the Präimprägnierhülse 17 through into the mixing cell 1 can occur.

The mixing process is as follows:
From a connected gas supply G is gas over the the head piece 21 penetrating gas supply channel to the oblong holes 4 of the pipe stub 3 passed and exits there. The leaked gas forcibly diffuses through the sealed at both ends pre-impregnation 17 through which the gas flow entering as a gas jet to a large area over that of the mixing cell 1 facing surface of Vorimprä gnierhülse 17 distributed on the surface of the pores of the porous material from which the pre-impregnation sleeve 17 formed, swirled gas injection converts before entering the mixing cell 1 entry.

At the same time occurs from a connected liquid supply F of liquid eccentric to the mixing tube central axis A through a head piece 21 penetrating fluid supply channel at the site 6 into the mixing cell 1 one. There the liquid flow hits the vanes 20 of the paddle wheel 19 and is acted upon by this with a swirl in the transverse direction to the inflow, so that the liquid inlet is first braked and swirled. Due to the fact that the preimpregnation stage 17 consists of a purely semipermeable, hydrophobic material, the liquid inflow but not up to the gas outlet openings 4 penetrate. A first pre-mixing of the widely distributed, turbulent gas inflow and the Verw fluid inflow in the mixing cell 1 thus finds in the inlet area in the vicinity of the head piece 21 instead of.

The flow already existing from the liquid already premixed with the liquid enters the first impregnating body in the further course 11 a, which consists of a finely porous material. The surface of the porous Festkörperimprägnierkörpers 11 is formed not only by its outer surface, but also by the surface of the pores in the interior of the impregnating 11 and is therefore very large, so that there is a large turbulence of the passing flow and due to the large phase interface high solution of the gas in the liquid. To the first impregnation body 11 Close two more impregnation bodies 13 . 15 with which the fine adjustment of the mixing ratio of the gas-liquid mixture is made. Here are the impregnating 11 . 13 . 15 made disc-shaped from a porous sintered material and into the mixing tube 1 plugged so that they complete its diameter and the inflow is forced by the material of the impregnating 11 . 13 . 15 to diffuse through. The two impregnating bodies 13 . 15 have a lower pore number than the front impregnating body 11 on.

After passing through the main impregnating stage, passing through the impregnating body 11 . 13 . 15 is formed, the gas-liquid mixture enters a through the impregnating 11 . 13 . 15 from the remaining mixing cell 1 separate calming area 10 , in which the turbulent flow is decelerated and converted into a laminar flow, which flows through the discharge opening 7 can escape from the mixing cell.

As tests have shown, the impregnator according to the invention is particularly suitable in the illustrated embodiment for producing beer from a low-carbon or non-carbonated beer precursor by adding CO ₂ in the impregnator according to the method described above. In this case, the supplied as liquid beer precursor must be only under such a pressure, which is sufficient that a flow through the impregnator is ensured through to the tapping point. Beyond that pressures, as they must be maintained in ordinary beer dispensing equipment in steel barrels in order to keep dissolved in beer carbon dioxide (or CO ₂ ) in solution with the liquid, so are no longer necessary.

All in all is provided by the invention, an impregnator, with the it is possible in a simple way is over the thickness and pore size of the impregnating the desired mixing ratio from the respective gas to be mixed and the respective one liquid adjust. It is therefore versatile, not only for Carbonating water to soda water, soda juice to lemonade o. The like., But also for the carbonation of a slightly carbonated Beer precursor to a pearling beer as a final product, as it is the consumer wishes. Other applications arise when adding a liquid with gaseous present flavors.

It it is understood that the above features of the invention not only in the specified combination, but also in others Combinations or alone, without the frame to leave the invention.

Claims (25)

Impregnator for displacing a non-gas or low-gas-containing liquid (F) with gas (G), in particular for displacing a non-bubbling or slightly bubbling CO ₂ -containing beer precursor with CO ₂ , with a particularly tubular mixing cell ( 1 ), which except for an inflowing liquid feed ( 6 ), an inflowing gas inlet ( 3 ) and a process ( 7 ) is sealed off from the environment, wherein in the mixing cell ( 1 ) at least one impregnating body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ) is arranged so that the passage of the liquid (F) and the gas (G) through the mixing cell ( 1 ) forcibly by the impregnating body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ), characterized in that the impregnating body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ) consists of a porous material. Impregnator according to claim 1, characterized in that the impregnating body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ) consists of a sintered material. Imprägnierer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the impregnation of a woven, knitted, braided, felt or hollow fiber module. Imprägnierer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the impregnation of a sponge or foamed Material exists. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impregnating body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ) as one the diameter of the mixing tube ( 1 ) filling disc is formed. Imprägnierer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized that the impregnation body with a socket provided to a diameter of the mixing tube filling Imprägnierpatrone is trained. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preimpregnation stage ( 17 ) is provided. Impregnator according to claim 7, characterized in that the gas supply by a Vorimprägnierkörper ( 17 ) he follows. Impregnator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the pre-impregnating body ( 17 ) consists of a gas-permeable, but liquid-impermeable material, in particular of a semipermeable or hydrophobic material, preferably sintered material. Impregnator according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pre-impregnating body ( 17 ) a sleeve ( 17 ) is made of porous material which sealed at both ends a gas outlet ( 4 ) from the gas inlet ( 3 ) encloses. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the liquid (F) has a swirl component in the transverse direction to the inflow direction of the liquid (F) from the liquid feed into the mixing cell ( 1 ) giving Vorverwirbelungsstufe ( 19 ) is provided. Impregnator according to claim 11, characterized in that the Vorverwirbelungsstufe ( 19 ) Guide vanes ( 20 ), in particular one with the guide vanes ( 20 ) equipped paddle wheel ( 19 ). Imprägnierer according to one of the claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the Vorverwirbelungsstufe swirl pieces at the mixing cell inner wall and / or at the pre-impregnating sleeve outer wall includes. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first impregnating body ( 11 ) of a first porous material, at least one second impregnating body ( 13 . 15 ) of one or more other porous materials in the mixing cell ( 1 ) is subordinate. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one impregnating body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ) a calming area ( 10 ), in particular one of the inlet side of the mixing tube ( 1 ) through the impregnation body ( 11 . 13 . 15 ) separate mixing pipe section ( 10 ) or one to the mixing cell ( 1 ) subsequent calming chamber. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mixing cell ( 1 ) gas and liquid supply side against the environment sealing head piece ( 21 ) with a connection ( 25 ) for a liquid supply line and a connection ( 23 ) is provided for a gas supply line. Impregnator according to claim 16, characterized in that the head piece ( 21 ) from a particular eccentric or annular to a Mischrohrachse (A) in the mixing tube ( 1 ) is penetrated, which preferably with a check valve ( 27 ) is secured and from a particular centric to the mixing tube axis (A) in the mixing tube ( 1 ) opening gas passageway, which preferably also with a check valve ( 27 ) is secured. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed to be separable into its individual parts, wherein the head piece ( 21 ) preferably with the mixing tube ( 1 ) and that of the pre-impregnation ( 17 ) enclosed gas outlet ( 4 ) in a mixing tube on the inside screwed to the head piece pipe stub ( 3 ) is provided, which is preferably to be NEM the head piece ( 21 ) facing away from the end with a plate ( 5 ), with which the pre-impregnation sleeve ( 17 ) against the head piece ( 21 ) and on the head piece ( 21 ) facing away from the end is sealable. Impregnator according to claim 18, characterized in that between head ( 21 ) and preimpregnating sleeve ( 17 ) a sealing disc is provided, which preferably is integral with the paddle wheel ( 19 ) is trained. Impregnator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second gas inlet or a second gas supply line connection for supplying a second gas in the mixing cell is provided. impregnation for mixing a liquid with a plurality of gases, characterized in that a plurality of Impregnators after one of the preceding claims so connected in series are that the expiration of a previous one impregnator with the liquid inlet of a subsequent impregnator connected is. Use of an impregnator according to any one of claims 1 to 20 or an impregnation plant according to claim 21 for the addition of a non-bubbling or weakly bubbling or CO ₂ -containing beer precursor with CO ₂ . Use of an impregnator according to one of claims 1 to 20 or an impregnation after Claim 21 for adding beer with nitrogen. Use of an impregnator according to claim 20 or an impregnation system according to claim 21 for the addition of a non-bubbling or weakly bubbling or CO ₂ -containing beer precursor with CO ₂ and nitrogen. Use of an impregnator according to one of claims 1 to 20 or an impregnation after Claim 21 for displacing a beverage precursor with flavors.