JP6675783B2 - Carbonated beverage production equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a carbonated beverage in which carbon dioxide gas is sealed in a beverage (including water).

  A carbonated beverage is manufactured by encapsulating carbon dioxide gas using water, syrup or the like as a solvent. Since gas such as carbon dioxide cannot be easily fixed in a solvent, various devices have been devised even in a conventional carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus.

  That is, in the conventional carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus, by lowering the temperature of the solvent with a heat exchanger, the fixation rate of the carbon dioxide gas is increased, or the pressure is induced to be higher, so that the carbon dioxide gas is more stably removed. To be absorbed.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for producing carbonated water in which a pump for sucking water as a solvent is installed on the downstream side and carbon dioxide gas is supplied through a semipermeable membrane. Patent Literature 2 discloses a liquid processing apparatus including a carbonator in the middle of a manufacturing process, in addition to a conventional heat exchanger.

JP 2015-217323 A JP 2015-223150 A

  However, in the methods and the apparatus for producing carbonated water disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the relationship between the residence time in the heat exchanger and the amount of carbon dioxide gas absorbed (dissolved) is disclosed or suggested. Absent. Therefore, the loss of carbon dioxide gas may increase depending on the situation, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases. In addition, safety problems caused by excessively increasing the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas in the system, and problems such as an increase in power consumption due to excessive cooling of the product in the heat exchanger have been pointed out. I have.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and low-cost carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus by minimizing the loss of carbon dioxide gas and suppressing the pressure of carbon dioxide gas. Aim.

In order to achieve the above object, a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the first invention is a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a carbonated beverage by absorbing carbon dioxide gas in a solvent, wherein a solvent tank for storing the solvent, A carbon dioxide gas supply unit that supplies carbon dioxide gas; and a heat exchanger that cools the solvent supplied from the solvent tank and absorbs the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply unit. Deriving a critical point from a graph showing the relationship between the retention time, which is the time the solvent stays in the vessel, and the amount of the carbon dioxide gas absorbed in the solvent, the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas, It is characterized in that it is supplied so as to stay in the heat exchanger until the critical point appears .

In the first invention, the critical point is derived from a graph showing the relationship between the retention time, which is the time during which the solvent stays in the heat exchanger, and the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed in the solvent. The gas is supplied so as to stay in the heat exchanger until a critical point appears . Even when the solvent and carbon dioxide gas are retained in the heat exchanger until the critical point appears, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed thereafter does not fluctuate relatively largely. Therefore, by allowing the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas to stay in the heat exchanger for at least the retention time indicated by the critical point, the solvent can be efficiently cooled and the carbon dioxide gas can be efficiently absorbed. In addition, the holding time can be extended with a small installation area without impairing the cooling function which is the original function of the heat exchanger, and the manufacturing cost of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus itself can be reduced.

  Further, in the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the second invention, in the first invention, the holding time is varied at the same temperature and the same pressure with the holding time being a horizontal axis and the absorption amount being a vertical axis. In the case of plotting, it is preferable that a point at which the degree of fluctuation of the absorption amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value is derived as the critical point.

  In the second invention, when the absorption time is plotted with the retention time varied at the same temperature and the same pressure, with the retention time as the horizontal axis and the absorption amount as the vertical axis, the point that the degree of fluctuation of the absorption amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Derived as a critical point. When the holding time is relatively short, the absorption amount of carbon dioxide gas increases sharply, but when the holding time elapses over a certain time, it gradually approaches to a certain absorption amount. Therefore, by allowing the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas to stay in the heat exchanger at least to a critical point at which the fluctuation of the absorption amount of the carbon dioxide gas is relatively small, the carbon dioxide gas can be efficiently absorbed and the size of the heat exchanger can be increased. Can be minimized, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, the carbonated beverage manufacturing device according to the third invention is preferably provided with the pressure adjusting valve capable of adjusting the pressure in the heat exchanger in the first or second invention.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the pressure adjusting valve capable of adjusting the pressure in the heat exchanger is provided, it is possible to stabilize the pressure in the heat exchanger and maintain the carbon dioxide gas absorption at a constant level. It is possible not only to reduce the production cost by reducing the amount of product waste, but also to ensure the safety of carbonated beverages.

  In addition, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, preferably includes an intermediate tank that stores the solvent that has passed through the heat exchanger.

  In the fourth invention, since the intermediate tank for storing the solvent that has passed through the heat exchanger is provided, the carbon dioxide gas absorbed in the solvent is stabilized, and the carbon dioxide gas bubbles that have not been completely absorbed are removed. It is possible to do.

  Moreover, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect, preferably includes an adjustment valve that increases the pressure in the heat exchanger immediately before the intermediate tank.

  According to the fifth aspect, the pressure in the heat exchanger can be increased immediately before the intermediate tank, so that carbon dioxide can be absorbed more efficiently, and a rise in the pressure in the intermediate tank can be suppressed. Becomes

  Further, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas are previously disposed between the carbon dioxide supply unit and the heat exchanger. It is preferable to provide a static mixer that generates a turbulent flow for gas-liquid mixing.

  In the sixth invention, since the static mixer for generating a turbulent flow for gas-liquid mixing of the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas in advance is provided between the carbon dioxide supply unit and the heat exchanger, the contact interface becomes large, The gas absorption efficiency can be greatly improved.

  Moreover, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to the seventh invention is preferably provided, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, further comprising a cooling water flow rate adjusting valve for adjusting a flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heat exchanger. .

  In the seventh aspect, since the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heat exchanger can be adjusted, the amount of heat exchange in the heat exchanger can be optimally adjusted, and power consumption can be suppressed.

  The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprises a carbon dioxide gas flow rate adjusting valve that adjusts a flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply unit. Is preferred.

  According to the eighth aspect, the flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply unit can be adjusted, so that the usage amount of the carbon dioxide gas can be optimally adjusted. Can also be provided.

  According to the present invention, by allowing the solvent and carbon dioxide gas to stay in the heat exchanger for at least the retention time indicated by the critical point, the solvent can be efficiently cooled, and the carbon dioxide gas can be efficiently absorbed. Become. In addition, the holding time can be extended with a small installation area without impairing the cooling function, which is the original function of the heat exchanger, and the manufacturing cost of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus itself can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic line flow diagram illustrating a configuration of a carbonated beverage manufacturing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 5 is a graph showing a change in GV value for each temperature of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 5 is a graph showing a change in GV value for each temperature of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 5 is a graph showing a change in GV value for each temperature of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a schematic line flow figure which shows the structure of the carbonated drink manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic line flow figure which shows the structure of the carbonated drink manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of the static mixer of the carbonated drink manufacturing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic line flow diagram illustrating a configuration of a carbonated beverage manufacturing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes a solvent tank 1 that stores a beverage mixed with water, syrup, or the like as a solvent that absorbs carbon dioxide gas, and carbon dioxide gas as a solvent. The apparatus includes a carbon dioxide supply unit 2 to be supplied, and a heat exchanger 3 for cooling the solvent supplied from the solvent tank 1 to increase the degree of absorption of the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply unit 2.

  The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 guides the solvent into the pipe by the supply pump 11. A carbon dioxide gas supply unit 2 for supplying carbon dioxide gas is provided on the way of the piping, and the supplied carbon dioxide gas is guided to the heat exchanger 3 together with the solvent.

  In the heat exchanger 3, the solvent and carbon dioxide gas are cooled. If the pressure is constant, the lower the temperature is, the more the carbon dioxide gas absorbs into the solvent. Therefore, as the time during which the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas stay in the heat exchanger 3 (hereinafter, the holding time) increases, the degree of absorption of the carbon dioxide gas into the solvent increases.

  In the first embodiment, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the solvent is represented by a gas volume value (hereinafter, GV value). The GV value indicates the amount of carbon dioxide gas contained (absorbed) per unit amount of the solvent. In the first embodiment, the volume of carbon dioxide gas absorbed at normal pressure per liter of solvent is shown, and the unit is NL / L. For example, when the GV value is 5, it indicates that 5 L of carbon dioxide is absorbed in 1 L of the solvent.

  FIGS. 2 to 4 are graphs showing changes in GV values according to temperatures of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a case where the cooling temperature of the heat exchanger 3 is 18 degrees, FIG. 3 shows a case where the cooling temperature of the heat exchanger 3 is 13 degrees, and FIG. When the temperature is 5 degrees, the change in the GV value at the pipe pressure of 0.55 MPa (ＭＰ), 0.4 MPa (●), 0.2 MPa (□) immediately after passing through each heat exchanger 3 is maintained. It is plotted according to time.

  The longer the respective retention time, the closer the GV value approaches the saturation value, which is the respective theoretical absorption. However, the inventors of the present application have found that the GV value does not asymptotically approach the saturation value at a constant rate, but increases immediately after cooling, whereas the GV value increases after a certain period of time. The degree was found to fluctuate clearly.

  For example, in FIG. 2, the plot value when the pipe pressure is 0.55 MPa immediately after passing through the heat exchanger 3 shows that the GV value sharply increases until the holding time is about 25 (s). After about 25 (s), it has been gradually rising. The holding time during which the degree of increase in the GV value fluctuates rapidly is called a critical point.

  In the case of other pressures in FIG. 2, a critical point appears around the retention time 25 (s). Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a critical point similarly appears at other temperatures.

  In other words, even if the solvent and carbon dioxide are cooled over a longer time than the retention time indicated by the critical point, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed in the solvent does not change significantly. Therefore, if the heat exchanger 3 is designed to cool the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas at least until the critical point appears, the size of the heat exchanger 3 can be minimized and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Is also possible.

  The critical point can be obtained as an intersection of two regression lines obtained by approximating the plot points by the least square method. For example, (Table 1) shows the slope of the regression line of the graphs shown in FIGS. As can be seen from (Table 1), before the critical point immediately after the start of cooling, the slope is 0.102 to 0.208 (minimum and maximum values of “large slope”), whereas After the point, the slope is extremely small, 0.000 to 0.012 (minimum value and maximum value of “small slope”).

  Therefore, the critical point may be approximated to three points using data before and after the plot point, and a point having a slope of 0.100 or less may be determined as the critical point. That is, it is possible to derive, as a critical point, a boundary point with a region where the degree of increase of the GV value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, that is, hardly fluctuates. This makes it possible to specify the critical point with high accuracy by plotting the retention time at regular time intervals.

  By providing the pressure adjusting valve 5 that can adjust the pressure in the heat exchanger 3, the pressure in the heat exchanger 3 can be kept constant. Specifically, the pressure sensor 4 detects the pressure in the heat exchanger 3 and adjusts the opening of the pressure adjusting valve 5 while checking the detected pressure value.

  By doing so, the pressure in the heat exchanger 3 can be stabilized, the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed can be maintained at a constant level, and not only the production cost can be reduced by reducing the amount of product waste, but also In addition, it is possible to ensure the safety of the carbonated beverage.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas are retained in the heat exchanger 3 for at least the retention time indicated by the critical point, so that the solvent can be efficiently cooled, and the carbon dioxide gas is reduced. It becomes possible to absorb efficiently. In addition, the holding time can be extended with a small installation area without impairing the cooling function, which is the original function of the heat exchanger, and the manufacturing cost of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus itself can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a schematic line flow diagram illustrating a configuration of a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment includes a solvent tank 1 that stores a beverage mixed with water, syrup, or the like as a solvent that absorbs carbon dioxide gas, and carbon dioxide gas as a solvent. The apparatus includes a carbon dioxide supply unit 2 to be supplied, and a heat exchanger 3 for cooling the solvent supplied from the solvent tank 1 to increase the degree of absorption of the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply unit 2.

  The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an intermediate tank 6 is provided as a saturator. That is, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment guides the solvent into the pipe by the supply pump 11. A carbon dioxide gas supply unit 2 for supplying carbon dioxide gas is provided on the way of the piping, and the supplied carbon dioxide gas is guided to the heat exchanger 3 together with the solvent.

  In the heat exchanger 3, the solvent and carbon dioxide gas are cooled. If the pressure is constant, the lower the temperature is, the more the carbon dioxide gas absorbs into the solvent. Therefore, the longer the retention time during which the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas stay in the heat exchanger 3, the higher the degree of absorption of the carbon dioxide gas into the solvent.

  The solvent that has passed through the heat exchanger 3 is guided to the intermediate tank 6. In the intermediate tank 6, the carbon dioxide gas absorbed in the solvent is stabilized, and the carbon dioxide gas not completely absorbed is released to the outside. Specifically, carbon dioxide present as bubbles is exhausted to the outside through an external duct.

  The amount of carbon dioxide absorbed affects the mouthfeel of the carbonated beverage filled in a PET bottle or the like. Therefore, the quality of the carbonated beverage as a product can be improved by stabilizing the absorption amount of the carbon dioxide gas.

  In addition, it is preferable to provide an adjustment valve 7 for increasing the pressure in the heat exchanger 3 immediately before the intermediate tank 6. By increasing the pressure in the heat exchanger 3, carbon dioxide gas can be more efficiently absorbed by the solvent, and a rise in the pressure in the intermediate tank 6 can be suppressed. Can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the intermediate tank 6 for storing the solvent that has passed through the heat exchanger 3 is provided, the carbon dioxide gas absorbed in the solvent is stabilized and completely absorbed. It is possible to reliably remove bubbles and the like of carbon dioxide that is not present, and it is possible to stabilize the quality of a carbonated beverage as a product.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a schematic line flow diagram showing a configuration of a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, a carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment includes a solvent tank 1 that stores a beverage mixed with water, syrup, or the like as a solvent that absorbs carbon dioxide gas, and carbon dioxide gas as a solvent. The apparatus includes a carbon dioxide supply unit 2 to be supplied, and a heat exchanger 3 for cooling the solvent supplied from the solvent tank 1 to increase the degree of absorption of the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply unit 2.

  The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment includes, between the carbon dioxide supply unit 2 and the heat exchanger 3, a static mixer 8 that generates a turbulent flow that causes a solvent and carbon dioxide to be gas-liquid mixed in advance. It differs from Embodiments 1 and 2 in that it is provided. That is, the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 3 guides the solvent into the pipe by the supply pump 11. A carbon dioxide gas supply unit 2 for supplying carbon dioxide gas is provided on the way of the piping, and the supplied carbon dioxide gas is guided to the heat exchanger 3 together with the solvent.

  Also in the third embodiment, the solvent that has passed through the heat exchanger 3 is guided to the intermediate tank 6, but the provision of the intermediate tank 6 is not essential.

  In the third embodiment, the turbulent flow that causes gas-liquid mixing between the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply unit 2 and the solvent induced by the supply pump 11 from the solvent tank 1 while passing through the piping is performed. It has a static mixer 8 for generating. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a configuration of the static mixer 8 of the carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

  The static mixer 8 according to the third embodiment combines elements (right element 81, left element 82) having different directions in which a rectangular plate material is twisted. When the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the direction of the arrow contacts the element, a turbulent flow is generated, the contact interface between the carbon dioxide gas and the solvent increases, and the absorption efficiency of the carbon dioxide gas can be greatly improved.

  Since the cooling water flow rate adjusting valve 31 for adjusting the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heat exchanger 3 is provided, the flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heat exchanger 3 can be freely adjusted. Therefore, the amount of heat exchange in the heat exchanger 3 can be adjusted optimally, and power consumption can be suppressed.

  In addition, since the apparatus is provided with the carbon dioxide gas flow rate adjusting valve 21 for adjusting the flow rate of the supplied carbon dioxide gas, it is possible to optimally adjust the amount of the carbon dioxide gas used. It can also be provided.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, turbulent flow of carbon dioxide gas is generated by contacting the element, the contact interface between the carbon dioxide gas and the solvent increases, and the carbon dioxide absorption efficiency is greatly improved. It becomes possible.

  In addition, it goes without saying that various changes can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the third embodiment may be combined with the first embodiment, and the carbonated beverage to be produced can be used not only for producing carbonated water but also for producing alcoholic beverages such as carbonated liqueurs.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solvent tank 2 Carbon dioxide supply part 3 Heat exchanger 5 Pressure control valve 6 Intermediate tank 7 Adjustment valve 8 Static mixer 10 Carbonated beverage production equipment 11 Supply pump 21 Carbon dioxide gas flow control valve 31 Cooling water flow control valve

Claims (8)

In a carbonated beverage production apparatus that produces a carbonated beverage by absorbing carbon dioxide in a solvent,
A solvent tank for storing the solvent,
A carbon dioxide supply unit that supplies the carbon dioxide to the solvent,
A heat exchanger that cools the solvent supplied from the solvent tank and absorbs the carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide supply unit,
Deriving a critical point from a graph showing the relationship between the retention time, which is the time during which the solvent stays in the heat exchanger, and the amount of carbon dioxide gas absorbed in the solvent,
An apparatus for producing a carbonated beverage, wherein the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas are supplied so as to stay in the heat exchanger until the critical point appears .   When the holding time is plotted on the horizontal axis and the absorption amount on the vertical axis and the holding time is varied at the same temperature and the same pressure, the point at which the degree of fluctuation of the absorption amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is derived as the critical point.   The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pressure adjusting valve capable of adjusting a pressure in the heat exchanger.   The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an intermediate tank that stores the solvent that has passed through the heat exchanger.   The apparatus for producing carbonated beverage according to claim 4, further comprising a regulating valve for increasing a pressure in the heat exchanger immediately before the intermediate tank.   6. A static mixer for generating a turbulent flow for gas-liquid mixing the solvent and the carbon dioxide gas in advance between the carbon dioxide supply unit and the heat exchanger. The carbonated beverage manufacturing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cooling water flow rate adjusting valve that adjusts a flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the heat exchanger.   The carbonated beverage manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a carbon dioxide gas flow rate adjustment valve that adjusts a flow rate of the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas supply unit.

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