EP0976441A1 - Vorrichtung für die Belüftung von Wasser, Getränken und Flüssigkeiten im allgemeinem. - Google Patents

Vorrichtung für die Belüftung von Wasser, Getränken und Flüssigkeiten im allgemeinem. Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0976441A1
EP0976441A1 EP98830468A EP98830468A EP0976441A1 EP 0976441 A1 EP0976441 A1 EP 0976441A1 EP 98830468 A EP98830468 A EP 98830468A EP 98830468 A EP98830468 A EP 98830468A EP 0976441 A1 EP0976441 A1 EP 0976441A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
liquid
water
chamber
aeration
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98830468A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Elio Morini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Emmetre Srl
Original Assignee
Emmetre Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Emmetre Srl filed Critical Emmetre Srl
Priority to EP98830468A priority Critical patent/EP0976441A1/de
Publication of EP0976441A1 publication Critical patent/EP0976441A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/712—Feed mechanisms for feeding fluids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/233—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/233—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements
    • B01F23/2336—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements characterised by the location of the place of introduction of the gas relative to the stirrer
    • B01F23/23365—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids using driven stirrers with completely immersed stirring elements characterised by the location of the place of introduction of the gas relative to the stirrer the gas being introduced at the radial periphery of the stirrer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/236—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages
    • B01F23/2362—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids specially adapted for aerating or carbonating beverages for aerating or carbonating within receptacles or tanks, e.g. distribution machines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/2366—Parts; Accessories
    • B01F23/2368—Mixing receptacles, e.g. tanks, vessels or reactors, being completely closed, e.g. hermetically closed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/20—Mixing gases with liquids
    • B01F23/23—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids
    • B01F23/237—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media
    • B01F23/2376—Mixing gases with liquids by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids characterised by the physical or chemical properties of gases or vapours introduced in the liquid media characterised by the gas being introduced
    • B01F23/23761—Aerating, i.e. introducing oxygen containing gas in liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/20—Measuring; Control or regulation
    • B01F35/21—Measuring
    • B01F35/211—Measuring of the operational parameters
    • B01F35/2112—Level of material in a container or the position or shape of the upper surface of the material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/714—Feed mechanisms for feeding predetermined amounts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
    • B01F35/717—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
    • B01F35/71805—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using valves, gates, orifices or openings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/75—Discharge mechanisms
    • B01F35/754—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer
    • B01F35/7543—Discharge mechanisms characterised by the means for discharging the components from the mixer using pneumatic pressure, overpressure or gas pressure in a closed receptacle or circuit system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F2101/00—Mixing characterised by the nature of the mixed materials or by the application field
    • B01F2101/06—Mixing of food ingredients
    • B01F2101/14—Mixing of ingredients for non-alcoholic beverages; Dissolving sugar in water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
    • B01F35/30—Driving arrangements; Transmissions; Couplings; Brakes
    • B01F35/32—Driving arrangements
    • B01F35/32005—Type of drive
    • B01F35/32015—Flow driven

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for the aeration of water, beverages and liquids in general.
  • a known type of apparatus for the aeration of water essentially comprises a tank having two inlets and an outlet, a probe inside the tank for checking the level of the water inside the tank, a high-pressure pump for the introduction of water, connected to one of the two tank inlets, while the other inlet is connected to a carbon dioxide source, solenoid valves mounted on the inlets and on the outlet which allow or prevent the flow of fluid, and an electronic command and control unit connected to the probe, to the pump and to the solenoid valves for management thereof.
  • carbon dioxide is first introduced into the tank and water is then introduced into the tank by means of the high-pressure pump.
  • This pump vaporises the water, or rather reduces it into minute particles, so that there is intimate contact between water and carbon dioxide and so that the carbon dioxide therefore dissolves in an optimum manner in the water.
  • the apparatus is ready to deliver the aerated water upon request.
  • more carbon dioxide than that required for aeration of the water is introduced into the tank so that the tank always has inside it the pressure needed to discharge it.
  • an apparatus without a pump having in place of the pump an impeller arranged inside the tank and operated by a high-speed external electric motor connected to the impeller by means of a shaft.
  • the water is introduced first, followed by the carbon dioxide, and finally the impeller is operated, thereby reducing the water into minute particles.
  • the tank is provided with a relief valve for eliminating the residual carbon dioxide when the minimum water level has been reached; the pressure of the residual carbon dioxide would in fact prevent the introduction of new water, while in the first type of apparatus described it is the pump which overcomes the pressure of the carbon dioxide.
  • This second type of apparatus is less costly than the first type described, but there is the problem of the seal at the point where the shaft which connects the (external) motor to the (internal) impeller enters the tank. Normally a stuffing-box seal is used. In view of the high speed of the drive shaft, this seal may be subject to wear, thus adversely affecting operation of the apparatus. It is therefore necessary to check the seal periodically and replace it when necessary.
  • the object of the present invention is to propose an apparatus which does not have the abovementioned problems associated with the known apparatus and which at the same time is simple and efficient.
  • an apparatus for the aeration of water, beverages and liquids in general, comprising a tank provided with one or more inlets connected to a supply of the liquid to be aerated, one or more inlets connected to a source of gas under pressure, and one or more outlets for removal of the aerated liquid, and comprising valve means which regulate the flow of fluid along each inlet and each outlet, characterized in that it comprises at least one rotating member which is provided with agitating means and is housed in a freely rotatable manner inside the tank and arranged opposite the gas inlet so as to be actuated by the gas introduced into the tank and so as to agitate the liquid to be aerated which has been introduced into the tank.
  • the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 which is denoted in its entirety by 10, comprises a tank 11 composed of a bottom part 12 and a top part 13 which has dimensions smaller than those of the part 12.
  • the two parts 12 and 13 of the tank 11 are joined by means of respective flanges 14 and 15 which are clamped together by bolts 16.
  • a sealing gasket is located between the flanges 14 and 15.
  • the tank 11 has, arranged inside it, a probe 23 for detecting the level of the water inside the tank.
  • This probe 23 is fixed using known means to the tank itself.
  • the tank 11 is also provided internally with an impeller 24 arranged opposite the pipe 19 for entry of the carbon dioxide.
  • the impeller 24 is integral with a shaft 25 arranged on a central axis Y of the tank 11.
  • One end of the shaft 25 is rotatably supported by a bush 26 integral with the bottom part 12 of the tank 11, while the other end of the shaft is rotatably supported by a bush 27 integral with the top part 13 of the tank 11.
  • the pipe 19 extends inside the tank 11 as far as the impeller 24.
  • the tank 11 is provided with an external solenoid relief valve 28.
  • the solenoid valves 18, 20, 22, the probe 23 and the solenoid valve 28 are connected to an electronic command and control unit, not shown, which is responsible for management thereof.
  • Fig. 2B In the operating condition, in order to obtain aerated water, water is first introduced, as illustrated in Fig. 2B. In this case the solenoid valve 18 is opened and the water flows into the tank 11 through the pipe 17 up to a predetermined level detected by means of the probe 23 (not illustrated in Figs. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D).
  • the solenoid valve 18 is closed and the solenoid valve 20 is opened.
  • carbon dioxide under pressure flows into the tank 11 via the pipe 19.
  • the stream of carbon dioxide strikes the impeller 24 which starts to rotate until it reaches a high speed of rotation.
  • the vanes of the impeller 24 thus violently strike the water and reduce it into minute particles so as to produce intimate contact between the water and carbon dioxide.
  • the solenoid valve 20 is closed again. In order to allow delivery of the aerated water, as described in the introduction, more carbon dioxide than that necessary for aeration of the water is introduced into the tank 11 so that the tank always has inside it the pressure needed to discharge it.
  • aerated water is present inside the tank 11.
  • the solenoid valve 22 is activated so as to open, as shown in Fig. 2D.
  • the aerated water is pushed outside by the pressure existing inside the tank 11 and is conveyed outside, for example into a cup C.
  • the apparatus according to Fig. 3, denoted in its entirety by 30, comprises the same components as seen in the apparatus 10, which are therefore indicated for the sake of simplicity by the same reference numbers, and in addition comprises a pressure compensation system which allows the solenoid relief valve 28 to be eliminated.
  • This pressure compensation system comprises a membrane made of deformable material, denoted 31, located inside the tank 11.
  • the edge of the membrane 31 is clamped between the flanges 14 and 15 by the action of the bolts 16.
  • the membrane 31 defines at the top in the part 13, inside the tank 11, a chamber 32 communicating with the exterior via a filling valve 33.
  • the chamber 32 is filled with fluid under pressure, for example air, via the valve 33 and the membrane 31 is thus deformed downwards.
  • the bush 27, which supports the top of the shaft 25 of the impeller 24, is displaced downwards inside the part 12 and is supported by a cross-piece 35 integral with the walls of the part 12 itself.
  • the operating principle of the apparatus 30, illustrated in Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, is the same as that of the apparatus 10 with regard to aeration of the water. This aeration process takes place inside the chamber 36 located underneath the chamber 32 and separated from the latter by means of the membrane 31.
  • the presence of the membrane 31 and the pressurized chamber 32 relates to a given aspect of the operating principle of the apparatus 30.
  • the membrane 31 in the rest condition (Fig. 4A), the membrane 31, as already mentioned, is deformed downwards.
  • the membrane 31 is still deformed downwards.
  • the carbon dioxide is introduced into the tank 11 (Fig. 4C)
  • the pressure thereof inside the tank causes the membrane 31 to rise, reducing the volume of the chamber 32 and correspondingly increasing the volume of the underlying chamber 36 where aeration of the water occurs.
  • the apparatus 10 and 30 are moreover less costly since they do not use either a pump or electric motor, but only a few simple passive components.
  • One or more additional impellers integral with the shaft of the first impeller may be provided, in order to increase the agitating effect.
  • the impeller may be replaced by any rotating member provided with agitating means of any type (vanes and the like).
  • the membrane may be made of any resiliently deformable material.
  • it may be made of rubber or may consist of a steel sheet, etc.
  • the membrane may moreover be fixed to the tank in any manner.
  • the apparatus described may be used in order to introduce any type of gas under pressure into any liquid.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
EP98830468A 1998-07-31 1998-07-31 Vorrichtung für die Belüftung von Wasser, Getränken und Flüssigkeiten im allgemeinem. Withdrawn EP0976441A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98830468A EP0976441A1 (de) 1998-07-31 1998-07-31 Vorrichtung für die Belüftung von Wasser, Getränken und Flüssigkeiten im allgemeinem.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98830468A EP0976441A1 (de) 1998-07-31 1998-07-31 Vorrichtung für die Belüftung von Wasser, Getränken und Flüssigkeiten im allgemeinem.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0976441A1 true EP0976441A1 (de) 2000-02-02

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98830468A Withdrawn EP0976441A1 (de) 1998-07-31 1998-07-31 Vorrichtung für die Belüftung von Wasser, Getränken und Flüssigkeiten im allgemeinem.

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0976441A1 (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1118276A2 (de) * 2000-01-20 2001-07-25 Linde Gas Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zur Imprägnierung von Flüssigkeiten mit einem Gas
US6494611B2 (en) 2001-01-26 2002-12-17 Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Apparatus for mixing a liquid and dry powdered components
GB2408467A (en) * 2003-11-26 2005-06-01 Imi Vision Ltd Apparatus for carbonating liquids
CN112512387A (zh) * 2018-05-23 2021-03-16 Cma佩尔咖啡机有限责任公司 容纳和保存饮料的装置和包括该装置的制备饮料的机器

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1933769A1 (de) * 1968-08-01 1970-02-05 Roediger Fa Wilhelm Vorrichtung zum Bewegen von Abwasser in Belueftungsbecken
JPS5482372A (en) * 1977-12-14 1979-06-30 Mitsui Miike Mach Co Ltd Gas/liquid contact apparatus
DE3326696A1 (de) * 1982-12-07 1984-06-07 Veb Kombinat Medizin- Und Labortechnik Leipzig, Ddr 7035 Leipzig Mischer mit gasdruckdifferenzausgleich
EP0347618A2 (de) * 1988-06-20 1989-12-27 General Signal Corporation Mischvorrichtung
EP0488586A2 (de) * 1990-11-27 1992-06-03 Abc/Techcorp, Inc. Karbonisierungssystem

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1933769A1 (de) * 1968-08-01 1970-02-05 Roediger Fa Wilhelm Vorrichtung zum Bewegen von Abwasser in Belueftungsbecken
JPS5482372A (en) * 1977-12-14 1979-06-30 Mitsui Miike Mach Co Ltd Gas/liquid contact apparatus
DE3326696A1 (de) * 1982-12-07 1984-06-07 Veb Kombinat Medizin- Und Labortechnik Leipzig, Ddr 7035 Leipzig Mischer mit gasdruckdifferenzausgleich
EP0347618A2 (de) * 1988-06-20 1989-12-27 General Signal Corporation Mischvorrichtung
EP0488586A2 (de) * 1990-11-27 1992-06-03 Abc/Techcorp, Inc. Karbonisierungssystem

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 003, no. 104 (C - 057) 4 September 1979 (1979-09-04) *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1118276A2 (de) * 2000-01-20 2001-07-25 Linde Gas Aktiengesellschaft Vorrichtung zur Imprägnierung von Flüssigkeiten mit einem Gas
EP1118276A3 (de) * 2000-01-20 2003-07-23 Linde AG Vorrichtung zur Imprägnierung von Flüssigkeiten mit einem Gas
US6494611B2 (en) 2001-01-26 2002-12-17 Howmedica Osteonics Corp. Apparatus for mixing a liquid and dry powdered components
GB2408467A (en) * 2003-11-26 2005-06-01 Imi Vision Ltd Apparatus for carbonating liquids
CN112512387A (zh) * 2018-05-23 2021-03-16 Cma佩尔咖啡机有限责任公司 容纳和保存饮料的装置和包括该装置的制备饮料的机器

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