CARBONATORS

1441658 Carbonating liquids STRENGER ASSOCIATES INC 3 July 1973 [20 July 1972] 31646/73 Heading B1C A water carbonator 16 comprises, in the direction of water flow, a first stage 72 in which CO 2 is drawn from a source at lower pressure than that of the water by aspiration into the water and partly absorbed therein, and a second stage 74 in which the water with partly absorbed CO 2 is accelerated, to decrease static pressure and increase turbulence, so that the surface area of the water exposed to the CO 2 is increased to achieve substantially complete CO 2 absorption. Preferably, the water pressure is 90-95 psi, the CO 2 is 2-5 psi less than the water pressure, and the water temperature is between 32-40‹F. The stage 72 comprises an annular chamber 88 receiving CO 2 through an entry port 68, an inner chamber 82 receiving CO 2 from the chamber 88 through radial ports 90, and axial water flow passages 78 communicating with a water inlet port 52 and each intersecting at least one radial CO 2 aspiration passage 80. The stage 74 comprises a conical chamber having a wall 92 tapering to a throat 94 which communicates with a collection chamber 96. The taper angle of the wall 92 is preferably less than 45‹. The cross sectional area of the water inlet port 52 exceeds the total cross sectional area of the passages 78 which in turn exceeds the cross sectional area of the throat 94. In operation, water passing through the passages 78 draws CO 2 radial inwards and outwards respectively from the chambers 88, 82, the entrainment of CO2 molecules causing water flow turbulence and part CO 2 absorption. Water streams ejected from the passages 78 are impinged against the chamber wall 92 and are then combined at the throat 94 to enter the collection chamber 96, the acceleration towards the throat causing decreased static pressure and increased turbulence. In the arrangement of Fig. 1, water from a tank 18 is pumped at 20 through a cooler 22 to a line 32 having carbonators 16 disposed in parallel. Pressure in the line 32 is determined by a pressure regulating valve 36 relieving to atmospheric pressure. As alternatives, the pump 20 may be disposed downstream of the cooler, and the latter may cool the water whilst in the tank. The valve 36 and a CO 2 pressure regulating valve 40 are operatively interconnected. The outlet from each distributor comprises a push button opened faucet 52 which may be fixed directly to the carbonator body. The cooled water and CO 2 may be fed to the carbonators through flexible lines. Cooled pressurised water for the carbonator may be provided from a coil in, or in the wall of, a conventional refrigerator.