GB2107203A

GB2107203A - Continuously operating, low- pressure apparatus for producing gas-enriched liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2107203A
Application number: GB08202560A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Szabolcs Szalay; Gyula Safgsak; Istvan Berke
Original assignee: Hutogepgyar
Current assignee: Hutogepgyar
Priority date: 1981-10-12
Filing date: 1982-01-29
Publication date: 1983-04-27
Also published as: ATA546781A; DE3151160A1; AT383965B; CS244418B2; IT8283370A0; GB2107203B; IT1193046B; HU183616B

Abstract

The invention relates to continuously operating, low pressure apparatus for producing gas-enriched liquids and it is used to advantage preferably when built into refrigerators. The apparatus according to the invention has an absorbing tank (1), a discharge valve (7), a gas cartridge or bottle and a gas inlet valve (4). A self-priming centrifugal atomiser impeller (5) is mounted on the shaft of an electric motor (6) adjacent the upper part of the absorbing tank (1). A decompressor valve (3) is mounted adjacent the upper part of the absorbing tank (1). The gas inlet valve (4) connected to a carbon dioxide storage device, a pressure reducing valve (2) connected to a water supply, and the dispensing valve (7) are arranged on the lower part of the absorbing tank (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Continuously operating low-pressure apparatus for producing gas-enriched liquids The invention relates to continuously operating low-pressure apparatus for producing gasenriched liquids, e.g. carbonated beverages and it is applicable especially when built into refrigerators.

The unrivalled spread of the carbonated soft drinks in recent decades resulted in an extensive development of the technical solutions aimed at filling the need.

While in earlier times the demands were met with soda water produced mainly in industrial apparatuses, put into circular in the well-known syphon bottles, later several variable forms of soft drink production have gained general acceptance.

Today the consumer can obtain ready-made, flavoured soft drinks stored in pressure-tight packages just as well as auto-syphon apparatuses suited to home-made products, or prepacked sparkling powder. At the same time, the spread of soft drinks all over the world made significant shortcomings in the presently used solutions manifest. The increasing quantity of the soft drinks delivered in pressure-tight returnable packs (the content of which is about 97% water), requires high transportation capacity, is costly and energyconsuming and is inconvenient to the buyer as well. The throw-away packs are no better in this respect and moreover they cause a hitherto unsolved environmental pollution problem.

The only acceptable solution in the long run would be if every consumer could prepare soft drinks at home from the available drinking water; this, however, cannot be realized in an acceptable form with the means available today. Though the autosyphon apparatuses are made expressly for this purpose, the usual good quality of the carbonated soft drinks cannot be attained with these. The autosyphon cartridge contains an insufficient amount of gas for this purpose. An additional problem is that handling of the autosyphon involves extra work, for which not everyone has time, at least not always.It would be a better solution if the buyer had apparatus which would automatically produce carbonated water (possibly other pre-flavoured soft drink) from the available drinking water system, in excellent quality, without any extra intervention, with the use of multi-ration, large carbonic acid or carbon dioxide bottle, and if this high-quality soft drink were easily and at any time available for the family, at the temperature of 8-120C best suitable for consumption. Such apparatus can be also produced according to the principles known so far, provided that the technical apparatuses of the soft drink automatic vending machines are taken into consideration. The necessary carbonic acid or CO2 aggregates or refrigerators are known, established devices and are generally obtainable in the trade.The reason for their not being generally used in the households, or in the circle of other small consumers is that these apparatuses are large, costly, noisy, require frequent maintenance and their energy consumption is high. These negative properties arise mainly from the present formation of the soda aggregates, the principle of operation of which is the following.

The carbon dioxide gas from the gas tank is conducted through a pressure-reducing valve at relatively low pressure into the absorbing tank, where it mixes with the suitably precooled water, admitted by a high-pressure pump through nozzle into the absorber.

This solution was generally in use for several decades mainly because, in contrast with the former apparatus functioning with mechanical mixing, its simple adjustability was adequate to the technical standard at that time.

On the other hand, today this construction no longer represents technical progress. Highpressure pumps are expensive, noisy and require high energy input; also they wear out fast, which factors prevent the production of such units in a small size enabling them to be built as an accessory into an existing, nowadays widely owned, household refrigerator or as part of the original equipment of a refrigerator.

Today the up-to-date soda water unit is regarded as having the simplest possible mechanical parts, for ultimately these wili determine the size of the apparatus and its production costs.

The invention aims to provide apparatus of continuous operation at low pressure conditions which eliminates or reduces the above-described adverse properties, and which is suitable for producing gas-enriched liquids at a low technical input and with a high efficiency. The aim is sought to be attained with apparatus according to the invention which is provided with an absorbing tank, a discharge or dispensing valve; a gas cartridge or bottle, and a gas admitting tank; and wherein a self-priming centrifugal atomizing impeller is mounted on the shaft of an electric motor in or near the upper part of the absorbing tank; and furthermore a decompressor valve is provided on or near the upper part of the absorbing tank; the gas inlet valve and in given cases a pressure-reducing valve connected to a carbon dioxide storage device and pressure reducing valve connected to the water supply, and the discharge valve are all arranged on or near the lower part of the absorbing tank.

Apparatus according to the invention is described by way of a preferred construction with the aid of the accompanying schematic drawing.

In this embodiment it is proposed that a soda unit is to be built into a household refrigerator, containing a small (1-2 litre) absorbing tank 1 designed for a low pressure of 10 bar maximum.

Water flows into this tank under the pressure of the water mains supply system with the aid of a pressure-reducing check valve 2. Inlet of the water is facilitated by a decompressor valve 3 arranged to open during the time of filling up, which valve may be formed as a solenoid valve. Upon reaching a sufficient liquid level, the decompressor valve 3 is arranged to close. Due to the air-cushion effect the pressure begins to rise in the liquid, and upon reaching a predetermined shut-off pressure value the pressure reducing valve 2 stops the water flow.

When this happens, the gas inlet valve 4 (solenoid valve) is arranged to open; in this system the valve 4 is between the carbon dioxide pressure-reducing valve 8 and the absorbing tank.

In this way the gas flow begins. Concurrently the self-priming centrifugal atomising impeller 5 starts to function, driven by a low-powered electric motor 6 suitably arranged outside the tank. The centrifugal atomiser 5 ensures that the atomised water, even several times within a short time, comes into contact with the carbon dioxide atmosphere, and thus the absorption takes place at high efficiency, despite the fact that the pressure of the carbon dioxide is much lower than the usual value. On completion of the absorption, the impeller of the centrifugal atomiser 5 stops, the gas inlet valve 4 shuts and then the highquality soft drink can be discharged at the proper temperature from the apparatus with the aid of the discharge or dispensing valve 7.

A conventional electronic automatic unit (not illustrated) keeps the user informed by means of signal lamps (not shown) about the operating condition of the apparatus, e.g. it may indicate the filling and absorption operations, during which it is not practicable to dispense drink, or when the gasbottle is running short of CO2 gas and its replacement becomes necessary. Apart from dispensing, this is the only operation to be carried out by the user, from time to time. The energy demand of the apparatus is reduced, since, if correctly installed opening of the refrigerator door is unnecessary for its handling and usage. In addition to large households, it may become especially popular where the cold carbonated water should always be available. Thus, for example, it may replace the soda water balloons used in warm industrial plants, and can be used to advantage in snack-bars, hospitals, offices, holiday homes and schools.

Claims

1. Continuously operating, low-pressure apparatus for producing gas-enriched liquids, e.g.

carbonated beverages, suitable for being built into a refrigerator, comprising an absorbing tank, a discharge valve, a gas storage device, e.g. a gas bottle with a pressure reducing valve, and gas inlet valve for admission of the gas; the apparatus further including a self-priming atomiser impeller mounted on the shaft of an electric motor in the upper part of the absorbing tank, a decompressor valve arranged for communication with the upper part of said absorbing tank, while the gas inlet valve, and optionally also a pressure-reducing valve, is or are connected to the gas storage device; a liquid press-reducing valve is connectible or connected to a source of liquid, and a dispensing valve is arranged for communication with the lower part of the absorbing tank.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid pressure-reducing valve, the gas inlet valve and the self-priming atomiser impeller are in functional connection with a conventional liquid level sensor.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispensing valve and the device connected preferably to the gas cartridge or bottle are accessible constructions even in the closed position of the refrigerator door.

4. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

5. A refrigerator including apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.