Arrangement and method for continuous addition of nitrogen gas to a beverage
AssigneeAlfa-Laval AB
InventorEbbe Larsson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An arrangement for continuous addition of nitrogen gas to a beverage such as beer, mineral water or still drink comprises a pump (2) arranged to increase the pressure of a flow of beverage to a desired high level. In the arrangement there are also tubes (5) to add a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas under pressure directly to the pressurized flow of beverage and at least one static mixer (4) to mix gas and beverage and disperse the nitrogen gas in the beverage. A holding cell is connected to the static mixer in which holding cell the nitrogen gas is completely dissolved in the still pressurized beverage of the holding cell. Valves (15) are arranged at the outlet of the holding cell to lower the pressure to a level which is suitable for packaging of the beverage.
Claims13
An arrangement for a continuous addition of nitrogen gas to a beverage comprising means (2) arranged to increase the pressure of a flow of beverage to a desired level, means (5) to add a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas under pressure directly into the pressurized flow of beverage, at least one static mixer (4) to mix gas and beverage and to disperse the nitrogen gas in the beverage, a holding cell (11) in which the nitrogen gas is completely dissolved in the still pressurized beverage and means (15) arranged at the outlet from the holding cell to lower the pressure of the beverage to a level which is suitable for packaging the beverage.
A method for the continuous addition of nitrogen gas to a beverage comprising the steps of directing the beverage to an arrangement for adding the nitrogen gas while the beverage is at a temperature of no greater than 15.degree. C., increasing the pressure of the beverage to at least 10 bar, adding the nitrogen gas to the beverage through at least one static mixer at a pressure above 12 bar, maintaining the beverage at said pressure above 12 bar for 10-30 seconds, and passing the beverage through means arranged to lower the beverage pressure to one suitable for packaging such that the beverage after packaging has a nitrogen gas content of up to 35 ppm at a CO.sub.2 content up to 5 g/l.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.