# US 4,398,395 A · Carbonated ice process and product

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- Number: US 4,398,395 A
- Document ID: US4398395A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/326,888
- Filed: 1981-12-02
- Granted: 1983-08-16
- Earliest claimed: 1981-12-02
- Assignees: General Foods Corporation
- Inventors: David C. Hinman; Valery B. Zemelman; William R. Ramakka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4398395A

## CPC

- A23G 9/045: {of slush-ice, e.g. semi-frozen beverage}
- A23G 9/06: characterised by using carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide snow {or other cryogenic agents} as cooling medium
- A23G 9/20: the products being mixed with gas, e.g. soft-ice
- C01B 32/50: Carbon dioxide
- F25C 1/00: Producing ice (F25C3/00 takes precedence)
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C}
- F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE

## Abstract

The present invention provides an improved process for preparing carbonated ice directly from finely divided water ice or snow. According to the process, water ice is contacted with carbon dioxide gas at a temperature within the range of from about -20.degree. C. to about 0.degree. C. at a pressure of about 0.3 times the carbon dioxide vapor pressure at the respective temperatures, the pressure being at least sufficient to cause formation of carbon dioxide hydrate, but insufficient to liquefy the carbon dioxide, at the temperature of contact; and maintaining contact for a period of time effective to form carbon dioxide hydrate in the ice. At the preferred temperatures of from -14.degree. to -2.degree. C., the reaction rate increases dramatically.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for preparing carbon dioxide hydrate which comprises:
(a) contacting water ice with a carbon dioxide gas at a temperature within the range of from about -20.degree. C. to about 0.degree. C. at a pressure of about 0.3 times the CO.sub.2 vapor pressure at the respective temperatures, the pressure being at least sufficient to cause formation of carbon dioxide hydrate, but insufficient to liquefy the carbon dioxide; and
(b) maintaining contact for a period of time effective to form carbon dioxide hydrate in the ice.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1 wherein the water ice exhibits a specific surface of greater than about 80 square centimeters per gram of bulk water ice.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A process according to claim 2 wherein the water ice exhibits a specific surface of greater than about 1500 square centimeters per gram of bulk water ice.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A process according to claim 2 wherein the water ice comprises particles small enough that substantially all pass through a 20 mesh U.S. Standard sieve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A process according to claim 2 wherein the ice comprises a porous, cohesive mass having a bulk density of from about 0.20 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1 wherein the contact is maintained for a period of time sufficient to obtain a carbon dioxide content of at least 25 milliliters per gram of solid carbonated ice.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature during contact is maintained within the range of from -14.degree. C. to -2.degree. C.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1 wherein the pressure during contact is maintained at a level effective to provide a ratio P/P.sub.o, where P is the contact pressure and P.sub.o is the condensation pressure of carbon dioxide at the contact temperature, of from about 0.30 to about 0.99.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A process according to claim 7 wherein the contact pressure is maintained at a P/P.sub.o ratio of about 0.30.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A process according to claim 9 wherein the temperature during contact is maintained within the range of from -14.degree. C. to -2.degree. C.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A process according to claim 10 wherein the contact is maintained for a period of time sufficient to obtain a carbon dioxide content of at least 25 milliliters per cubic centimeter of solid carbonated ice.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

A process according to claim 11 wherein the ice exhibits a specific surface of greater than 80 square centimeters per gram of bulk water ice.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

A process according to claim 12 wherein the ice comprises particles small enough that substantially all pass through a 20 mesh U.S. Standard sieve.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

A process according to claim 12 wherein the water ice comprises a porous cohesive mass having a bulk density of from about 0.20 to about 0.85 grams per cubic centimeter.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A product prepared according to the process of claim 1.