Process for preparing a gasified ice product
AssigneeGeneral Foods Corporation
InventorsJoseph L. Hegadorn, Steven B. Chall, Richard B. Stevenson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides an improved process for preparing gasified ice products; particularly, a process is provided which more efficiently produces gasified ice products having good mechanical strength and provides uniform gas contents on a reproducible basis. According to the present invention, the reaction between a conditionally-stable-hydrate-forming gas and water is maintained within a dynamic reaction zone under carefully controlled conditions of gas to water feed ratio, system pressure and temperature to eliminate processing anamolies.
Claims15
A process for preparing gasified ice characterized by a uniform gas content within the range of from about 35 to about 60 milliliters of gas per gram of product and a high degree of mechanical strength in the frozen state, which comprises:
- providing a source of water at a temperature below about 5.degree. C.;
- providing a source of conditionally-stable-hydrate-forming gas at a temperature of less than about 10.degree. C. wherein all lines for transporting the suspension of gas hydrate crystal-like particles are maintained free of obstructions and are positioned to provide bends of no less than a 6-inch radius;
- dispersing the gas within the water at a weight ratio of gas to water within the range of from about 0.14 to about 0.18 to provide a process feed stream;
- introducing the process feed stream into a dynamic reaction zone at a temperature within about 1.degree. C. of the hydrate formation equilibrium temperature at a preselected process pressure, within the range of from about 300 to about 450 psig, which is maintained within the dynamic reaction zone;
- maintaining contact between the gas and water in the feed stream under dynamic conditions for a period of time of from 2 to 8 minutes and effective to form conditionally-stable gas hydrate and to dissolve gas within the water to an extent effective to provide a uniform, flowable suspension of solid gas hydrate crystal-like particles in a saturated aqueous solution of carbon dioxide;
- transporting the suspension to a pressurized freezing vessel which is in communiction with the dynamic reaction zone and a pressure control means, comprises an elongated cylinder positioned at an angle of from 0.degree. to 30.degree. from the horizontal, and valve means and means for separating occluded gas from liquid and solid components, said pressure control means being capable of controlling the system pressure to within 5 psig of the pre-selected pressure;
- closing the freezing chamber;
- and,
- freezing the suspension under pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.