How To Choose A Carbonated Mixer?

In the manufacture of carbonated beverages, the carbonated mixer is a must-have piece of equipment.

Under specific conditions, carbonated drinks are beverages that are loaded with carbon dioxide. People have adored it since its inception, and it is now extremely popular all over the world.

The mixing of carbon dioxide with liquids is critical in the creation of carbonated beverages, as it directly impacts the final quality of the carbonated beverages. The following are the primary factors that influence the effect of carbon dioxide combined with beverages:

1. The pressure of carbon dioxide. When the temperature is constant, the greater the pressure of carbon dioxide, the higher the solubility in water.
2. Water temperature. When the pressure is constant, the lower the water temperature, the higher the solubility.
3. The area and time of contact between carbon dioxide and liquids. The longer the contact time and the larger the area, the higher the solubility of carbon dioxide in the liquid.
4. Air content in a CO₂-liquid system. The higher the air content, the lower the solubility of carbon dioxide.

As a result, in order to better mix carbon dioxide with liquids, the following steps must be taken throughout the mixing process.

1. Carbon dioxide pressure is maintained at 0.8 ~ 1.0 Mpa
2. Liquid temperature < 4°C.
3. When carbon dioxide is mixed with a liquid, the liquid is sprayed out in the form of a mist, droplet or film.
4. Reduce the amount of air mixed in and ensure that there are no impurities in the water or product.

To achieve the above conditions, we need a carbonated mixer to correctly mix carbon dioxide with liquids. Following that, we’ll go over the carbonated mixer in greater depth.

The carbonated mixer’s structure is as follows:

The five-barrel carbonated mixer has the most thorough procedure, as illustrated in the figure. It includes a degasser tank, a pure water tank, a syrup tank, a T-type mixing pipe, a mixing tank, a plate type heat exchanger, a CO2-liquid mixing pipe, and a carbonation tank.

The carbonated mixer’s workflow is as follows:

Pure water enters the degassing tank—pure water is degassed in the degassing tank—and degassed water flows into the pure water tank.

Syrup (combined ingredients with a small amount of water) flows into the syrup tank.

In a T mixing pipe, degassed water is mixed with syrup in a predetermined proportion—Mixed beverage is held in a mixing tank—the mixed beverage is cooled by a heat exchanger—and the chilled beverage is mixed with CO2 in a CO2 mixing pipe—carbonated beverage stored in the carbonation tank—to the filling machine

Types of carbonated mixer:

According to the CO₂ volume, the carbonated mixer is divided into high CO₂ volume and low CO₂ volume carbonated mixer.

What is the CO2 volume?

The volume of CO2 that can be dissolved by 1 volume of liquid at 0.1 Mpa pressure and 20 °C.

For example, 3 volumes CO2 denotes that 1 volume of liquid dissolved 3 volumes of CO2 at a pressure of 0.1 Mpa and a temperature of 20 °C. The unit of CO2 content in Europe is g/L. This metric indicates how many grams of CO2 are dissolved per liter of liquid. CO2 volumes 1.838 g/L is the conversion formula. For instance, 3 volumes=3× 1.838=5.514 g/L.

Volumes larger than 3 are referred to as high CO2 volumes, while volumes fewer than 3 are referred to as low CO2 volumes. The minimum, according to Chinese norms, cannot be less than 1.5.

According to the number of mixer barrels, there are single barrels, double barrels, three barrels, four barrels and five barrels. The structure is generally as follows:

Single barrel: carbonation tank.

Double barrels: degasser tank, carbonation tank.

Three barrels: degasser tank, syrup tank, carbonation tank.

Four barrels: degasser tank, syrup tank, mixing tank, carbonation tank.

Five barrels: degasser tank, pure water tank, syrup tank, mixing tank, carbonation tank.

Different barrels, different machine prices, and different beverage pre-mixing methods. That will be covered later in the article.

How should I go about selecting the best carbonated mixer?

First and foremost, the CO2 volume should be chosen based on the product’s qualities. If the CO2 level is too high, the sweet and sour flavor of the drink is diminished; if the CO2 level is too low, the stimulation is too weak, and the carbonated drink flavor is lost. As a result, beverages with complex aromas or distinctive fragrances should utilize modest CO2 volumes to avoid excessive CO2 damaging the drink’s original aroma. Citrus-flavored carbonated drinks are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO2 in their flavor. The average juice-type drink on the market has a CO2 volume of roughly 2.5. If it is a non-flavored beverage, such as cola, sprite, or soda, the CO2 volume might range from 3 to 4. The CO2 volume in Coca-Cola is close to four. Beverage formulators can also provide advice.

The number of barrels in the carbonated mixer is proportional to the beverage’s pre-mixing process. There are now two mixing procedures that are widely utilized.

The first way is to add a particular amount of syrup and water to the beverage mixing tank and stir it evenly. After cooling, it is mixed with CO2 in the carbonated mixer. This method necessitates the use of big beverage mixing tanks. To avoid the growth of bacteria, the mixed beverage must be chilled, carbonized, and filled in a timely manner. The benefit is that a simpler carbonated mixer can be used to save money. Carbonated mixers with single and double barrels are appropriate.

The second way is to mix the syrup and water proportionally in the carbonated mixer, and then to mix them with CO2 after they have cooled. The benefits of this technology include a precise syrup-to-water ratio and a compact syrup mixing tank volume. The criteria for the carbonated mixer, on the other hand, are rather stringent, particularly the precise ratio of syrup and water, which is achieved by high-quality proportional valves. Carbonated mixers with three, four, or five barrels are commonly utilized and are more expensive.

When selecting a carbonated mixer, consider the product kind (taste), the beverage mixing procedure, and the project budget. Linho will also offer you professional guidance. Please contact us.