DE10121841C1 - Process for the preparation of drinking water enriched with all air gas components - Google Patents

Abstract

This is the patent application for a process for the preparation of liquids filled in pressure-tight containers, in particular bottles, filled with all natural air gas components and optionally with additional carbon dioxide, in particular drinking water. What is unique is that, following the example of nature, the drinking water is enriched primarily with atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen, which produces a natural drink. This "natural oxygen water" is particularly digestible, beneficial and health-supporting.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the preparation of enriched with all air gas components Drinking water.

It is well known that natural drinking water, spring water, mineral water and others Water, often after previous partial or complete degassing, mixed with carbon dioxide. This is done on the one hand to increase the shelf life and on the other hand to enjoy it to use the refreshing, pearling effect of the gas emerging from the solution.

It is also known to enrich drinking water with oxygen (DE 196 34 957 A1; DE 297 17 155 U1; DE 94 20 518 U1). The aim is to increase the natural oxygen content of water natural water resources, such as from rock springs, wells and other deposits. This stre The increased natural oxygen content is in stark contrast to what is usual worldwide Practice. The waters are usually totally degassed before they are bottled they dissolve the carbon dioxide more easily and bind it as a carbonic acid and so they are also more durable. However, the oxygen content is wanted by nature in natural drinking water The entire history of human origin is characterized by the fact that only water is present Oxygen was available. It is undisputed that around 10,000 years ago no one in the It was able to drill approx. 200 m below the surface of the earth in order to extract heavily reduced, mostly iron, and manganese-containing, oxygen-free water. All near-surface waters are on the other hand more or less oxygen-containing, since they are in a natural exchange equilibrium with the air are. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the physiological development of humans, or the basic concept of internal medicine includes the enjoyment of oxygenated water. It can for example, a significant increase in blood oxygen pressure after consuming oxygenated water and thus a better oxygen supply for the whole organism be determined. You could say that nature intended that we drink water with oxygen. It has not provided that we artificially remove this natural oxygen content and it replace with our metabolic waste product carbon dioxide. The oxygen content is also for one pleasant, slightly sweet, jointly responsible taste.  

Especially for the metabolic processes in the human digestive tract, where up to approx. 80% of the immune system, natural oxygen water has a health-promoting effect positively regulating our metabolism. It promotes digestion as far as aerobic bacteria involved. Many other positive physiological and health issues are still unsettled Observations, in the field of internal medicine and well-being. What is certain is that the Oxygen supply to humans takes place via the lungs, but also via the skin. The enjoyment of oxygen water is primarily an adaptation to the original, natural creation fung sake. What is certain is that the oxygen content of the water, at least control processes in the field of physiology can be positively influenced.

Waters with a multiple of those found in nature are on the market Oxygen content offered. This usually involves technical or medical, i.e. pure oxygen used for enrichment. The problem is that medical-technical oxygen. generates free radicals known to be carcinogenic. Furthermore, the regulations leave in many countries don't add medical-technical oxygen.

Methods are also known which use air for oxygen enrichment (DE 198 25 559 A1). air is a gas mixture that consists of approx. 21% oxygen, 79% nitrogen and a few noble gases consists. Enrichment with air is also not subject to approval because of nature Enrichment has been practiced for millions of years. This releases both the atmospheric oxygen and the Air nitrogen and the other air gases in the water. Just like in natural surface waters also, according to Henry’s law, the air-nitrogen dissolves less than the air- Oxygen. In this way a natural drink is achieved, which nature has always offered and on which our physiology is adapted It is also known, besides oxygen enrichment with air additionally carry out an enrichment with carbon dioxide (DE 198 25 559).

In the method according to DE 198 25 559 A1, the water to be gassed is compressed air containing container sprayed. The targeted setting of defined oxygen values is with this Procedure difficult to reach.

The registration is therefore based on the task of a method for preparing everyone To provide air gas components of enriched drinking water with which the desired Air gas components can be supplied in a defined manner.  

This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1. Preferred configurations of the method are described in the subclaims. An essential feature of the invention is that the enrichment with air takes place in the bypass circuit, the gas binding mainly through the Main vessel flow is taking place. It was found to be a special one intense gas binding occurs when the return to the main tank at an angle from about 23 ° to the tangent of the container.

The method according to the invention is explained in more detail using the exemplary embodiment below explained.

For an overview, the essential elements of this technical process are to be shown and illustrated with the aid of the figures:

• 1. Drinking water supply: [ 1 ] to [ 6 ] is the supply line for the drinking water from a drinking water reservoir. The drinking water supplied should be as natural and of high quality as possible. In particular, it should be cool, optionally it can be pre-cooled by the cooling device [ 5 ].
• 2. Main tank: [ 7 ] to [ 18 ] represents the main tank for the water with a total volume in the order of magnitude of 10 to 100 m ³ or similar. The main tank must be designed for a pressure range of approximately 0-15 bar , In the process, the container can be filled completely or only partially with water. In addition to an optional measuring device [ 13 ], it contains pressure degassing [ 18 ] and overpressure safety degassing [ 17 ]. An evacuation line [ 54 ] can be installed to degas the filled water.
• 3. Gas supply: [ 27 ] to [ 44 ] denotes the facilities necessary for the gassing for enrichment. In particular, these are a separate gas supply line for natural air [37] and a gas supply line for the optional carbon dioxide [ 36 ].
• 4. Enrichment circuit: [ 19 ] to [ 26 ] represents the enrichment circuit. This is where the water is enriched with the gas components. The stopcock [ 45 ] to the filling line [ 48 ] is closed during the active enrichment cycle. The central element is the fumigation device (sintered candle) [ 25 ], in which the water supplied via the enrichment line [ 23 ] is enriched with the gases via the fumigation line [ 28 ] before it is returned to the main tank. It is essential to the invention that the return into the main container [ 10 ] takes place at an angle of approximately 23 ° to the tangent of the main container, as shown in Fig. 1.1, whereby a defined flow is generated in the main container, which leads to a particularly intensive gas binding in the main container leads.
• 5. Filling: [ 45 ] to [ 48 ] represents the filling line to the filling device via which the finished product "natural oxygen water" can be filled after the enrichment process has been completed. It is important that the overpressure in the main container is kept constant during filling while the main container [ 10 ] is being emptied, since a relaxation of the pressure would lead to partial degassing of the water. The overpressure in the main container is therefore preferably maintained with natural air during the emptying to the filling device through the gas supply line [ 37 ].
• 6. Degassing (optional): Depending on the quality and type of water available via the water supply line [ 1 ], it may be necessary to degas it partially or completely before gas enrichment. The gas evacuation device of the drawing components [ 52 ] to [ 54 ] is used for this.

Detailed description of an exemplary process of the method

Original drinking water is supplied to the system via the drinking water supply line [ 1 ]. A measuring unit [ 2 ] can be provided which measures one, several or all of the original parameters of the water, such as oxygen content, nitrogen content, carbon dioxide content, temperature and pressure, so that the subsequent enrichment can be optimally adjusted to the available water. [ 3 ] represents a stopcock / check valve combination with which the line can be blocked. [ 4 ] is an optional pressure booster / feed pump by means of which the water is pumped into the main tank via the drinking water supply line [ 1 ]. The stopcock / check valve combination [ 6 ] is open while the drinking water is being fed into the main tank, otherwise it is closed. [ 5 ] represents an optional cooling device which, depending on the water temperature in the line [ 1 ], can set a better temperature for the process. The drinking water pipe [ 1 ] opens into the main tank [ 10 ]. After achieving the requested level [08/09] in the main tank [10], the check valve [6], the water supply line [1] closed.

The main tank [ 10 ] holds the volume of water intended for enrichment. The main tank is an optionally insulated, [ 7 ], water tank that withstands a pressure in a range of 0-15 bar, or a part of it. The total volume of the main container [ 10 ] is in the order of 10-100 m ³ . The main container is preferably cylindrical in shape. The vibrations and vibrations that occur during the enrichment process can be absorbed permanently, safely and without damage to the main container by a suitable static-dynamic installation of the main container [ 10 ] and removed in its static supports.

If necessary, the pressure in the main tank [ 10 ] during production / the process can be regulated via a pressure release line [ 18 ] with the associated stopcock / check valve combination [ 16 ]. A (positive pressure) safety line [ 17 ] with associated safety valve [ 15 ] prevents dangerous over / under pressures in the main tank [ 10 ] before damage occurs.

If necessary or desired for the water used, the water in the main tank [ 10 ] can be completely or partially degassed using an optional degassing device [ 52 ] to [ 54 ]. [ 54 ] is the optional evacuation line, [ 53 ] the optional vacuum pump and [ 52 ] the stopcock / check valve combination, which is closed as standard except for the degassing process.

The main container [ 10 ] is completely or partially filled with water via the drinking water supply line [ 1 ], preferably completely. The possibility of only partially filling the main tank [ 10 ] and the associated water level formation and water level fluctuation is indicated by [ 8 ] and [ 9 ]. [ 11 ] represents the water volume and [ 14 ] the mixed gas volume above the water level in the main tank [ 10 ], if this is not completely filled or if this occurs. For the enrichment of a filling of the main container, the filling height of the main container should preferably be kept constant. The "Natural Oxygen Water" is thus produced in batches, ie in units of the filled water volume per production section. [ 13 ] represents an optional measuring unit, which can measure a selection of the parameters of the water in the main tank such as oxygen content, nitrogen content, carbon dioxide content temperature and pressure or all these parameters of the water before and / or during and / or after the enrichment process in order to achieve an optimal one Achieve, ensure and monitor product quality.

The water is enriched with the natural gas components of natural air and optional carbon dioxide in the enrichment cycle represented by the elements [ 12 ] and [ 19 ] to [ 26 ]. The gas binding takes substantially place in the main container [10] through a defined flow, the [23/49] is generated in the main container by an angle of approximately 23 ° to the tangent of the return line. [ 12 ] is the line to the enrichment circuit and, after the enrichment has been completed, to the filling line device [ 45 ] to [ 48 ]. The enrichment circuit therefore receives its water supply via the supply line [ 12 ] directly from the main tank [ 10 ]. [ 19 ] is a stopcock / check valve combination which is open during the active enrichment circuit and is closed during filling or otherwise. [ 20 ] is a measuring unit which contains a selection of the parameters oxygen content, nitrogen content, carbon dioxide content temperature and pressure or all these parameters of the water can measure in the enrichment circuit before enrichment in the central gassing device (sinter candle) [ 25 ]. [ 21 ] is a booster / feed pump towards the gassing device [ 25 ]. The pressure is generated by this pump [ 21 ] to the pressure values defined in the claims in the range of approximately 0-15 bar, or a sub-range thereof. [ 22 ] is a cooling device (e.g. heat exchanger), which regulates the water in the enrichment circuit to a temperature in a range of 0.5-20 ° C or a partial range or partial value thereof. When regulating the temperature, make sure that no icing takes place. In particular, areas around 10 bar pressure and 2-6 ° C prove to be suitable for optimally enriching the water with "natural oxygen". [ 23 ] identifies the enrichment line in the enrichment circuit. [ 24 ] is a stopcock / check valve combination between the cooling device [ 22 ] and the gassing device [ 25 ]. The gassing device [ 25 ] is the location of the gas enrichment of the water conducted in the enrichment line [ 23 ] in the enrichment circuit under excess pressure. [ 26 ] is a stopcock / check valve combination between the gassing device [ 25 ] and the main tank [ 10 ]. The enrichment line [ 23 ] opens into the main container [ 10 ] again and feeds the water-air mixture from the enrichment circuit, which is gas-enriched in the gassing device [ 25 ]. A geometrically advantageous arrangement of the return of the enrichment line [ 23 ] into the main container [ 10 ] is shown in Fig. 1.1 with the elements [ 49 ] to [ 51 ]. [50] represents in particular the efindungswesentlichen advantageous tangential introduction angle of the enrichment line [49/23] is in the main container [51/10]. This is so that a defined flow is generated in the main container [10] with about 23 ° in the optimum range, which leads to a particularly intensive physical gas binding in the main tank. The enrichment circuit remains active until verified with the measuring instruments [ 20 ] or optionally [ 13 ] the defined target values from the above patent claims have been reached.

The gassing device [ 25 ] receives the water to be enriched from the enrichment circuit via the enrichment line [ 23 ], which is conveyed directly from the main tank [ 10 ]. The gas supply in the gassing device [ 25 ] takes place via the elements marked with [ 27 ] to [ 44 ]. Here is [ 28 ] the gas supply line, which can be blocked by a stopcock / check valve combination [ 27 ] in front of / from the gassing device [ 25 ]. [ 37 ] is the original gas pipe for natural air, consisting of a gas mixture with approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% residual gases. [ 36 ] is the original gas line for carbon dioxide, in the event that this is also to be used for enrichment. [ 39 ] and [ 34 ] are dust filters, [ 33 ] and [ 40 ] are germ filters for cleaning the gas in the original gas lines [ 37 ] and [ 36 ]. [ 44 ] is an optional measuring unit which can measure a selection of the parameters oxygen content, nitrogen content, carbon dioxide content, temperature and pressure or all these parameters of the gas carried in the gas supply line [ 27 ]. [ 29 ] is a pressure control and mixing device in which the gases from the original gas lines [ 37 ] and [ 36 ] can optionally be mixed if simultaneous enrichment with both gas mixtures is to take place. In the case of separate enrichment with a gas component consisting of either [ 37 ] or [ 36 ], preferably one after the other in time, the pressure control and mixing device [ 29 ] is switched to a continuous flow. [ 30 ] is an optional cooling device for temperature regulation and temperature adjustment of the gases before enrichment in the gassing device [ 25 ]. [ 31 ] and [ 42 ] are stopcock / check valve combinations of the original gas lines [ 37 ] and [ 36 ]. [ 32 ] and [ 41 ] are flow meters of the gases carried in the original gas lines [ 37 ] and [ 36 ], whose measuring / control range is approximately from 0-50 m ³ / h or a sub-range thereof. These flow meters can be used to determine and regulate how much of the respective gases are introduced in the enrichment process. The pressure required for this is provided by the optional pressure booster and feed pumps [ 35 ] and [ 38 ] if there is not enough pressure in the original gas lines [ 37 ] and [ 36 ].

To enrich the water with the gases at a particularly suitably set pressure of about 8-12 bar, or the ranges specified in the claims, and a particularly suitably set temperature of 1-6 ° C, or in the ranges specified in, the gassing device [ 25 ] enriched the water of the enrichment circuit with the gases. It is preferably enriched first with carbon dioxide from [ 36 ] at about 4 ° C and then with air from [ 37 ] at about 2 ° C. This order seems appropriate, but is not mandatory. The order can also be reversed, or enriched with both gases at the same time. The enrichment cycle is continued until the desired target values from the patent claims have been reached and can be verified in the measuring elements. As expected, the circuit can be run for about 1 to 18 hours.

After completion of the enrichment cycle, the finished product is located in the main container [ 10 ]: "Natural oxygen water", according to the features specified in the patent claims. The stopcock / check valve combination [ 19 ] is now closed and the natural oxygen water is filled via the filling elements [ 45 ] to [ 48 ]. To do this, the stopcock / check valve combination [ 45 ] is now opened and the natural oxygen water, if necessary, led to the filling system via the optional pressure booster / feed pump [ 47 ]. It is important that the filling during the emptying of the main container [ 10 ] keeps the overpressure in the main container constant, since a relaxation of the pressure would lead to partial degassing of the water. The overpressure in the main container is therefore preferably maintained during the emptying to the filling device through the gas supply line [ 37 ] with natural air, possibly via the pump [ 39 ]. [ 46 ] is an optional measuring unit, which can measure a selection of the parameters oxygen content, nitrogen content, carbon dioxide content, temperature and pressure or all these parameters of the water in the filling line [ 48 ] to ensure quality. Filling is carried out in particular in pressure-tightly closed bottles or in the containers according to the patent claims.

Explanations to the drawings Fig. 1 technical outline of the enrichment process

1

Pipe leads drinking water from a drinking water reservoir

2

Measuring unit (optional) - O2, N2, CO2, temp., Pressure (optional one / all value (s))

3

Stopcock / check valve combination to / from the main tank

4

Booster / feed pump to the main tank (optional)

5

Cooling device (e.g. heat exchanger) (optional) in front of the main tank

6

Stopcock / check valve combination to / from the main tank

7

Insulation (optional) of the main container

8th

Water level in the main tank (optional)

9

Height of water level in the main tank; variable - especially possible when fully filled

10

Main container; Size dimension about 10 to 50 m ³

Volume (side view cut)

11

Water volume in the main tank

12

Line leads water from the main tank to the enrichment (no.

23

) or Filling (no.

48

)

13

Measuring unit (optional) - O2, N2, CO2, temp., Pressure (optional one / all value (s))

14

Mixed gas volume above water level in the main tank (optional, if not full or due to the process)

15

Safety valve of the (overpressure) safety line

16

Stopcock / check valve combination of the pressure relief line

17

(Overpressure) safety line

18

Pressure control line

19

Stopcock / check valve combination for the enrichment line of the enrichment circuit

20

Measuring unit - O2, N2, CO2, temp., Pressure (optional one / all value (s))

21

Booster / feed pump to the enrichment line

22

Cooling device (e.g. heat exchanger) in the enrichment circuit

23

Enrichment management of the enrichment cycle

24

Stopcock / check valve combination from the enrichment line to the fumigation facility no.

25

25

Fumigation device (sintered candle)

26

Stopcock / check valve combination from the enrichment line of the enrichment circuit to the main tank

27

Stopcock / check valve combination to / from the gassing device

28

Gas / gas mixture supply line

29

Pressure control and mixing device for gas mixtures (optional)

30

Cooling device (e.g. heat exchanger) (optional) in front of the gassing device

31

Sperrhahn- / Rückschlagventükombination

32

Flow meter

33

sterilizing filter

34

dust filter

35

Booster pump to the sintered candle (optional)

36

Gas supply line for carbon dioxide

37

Gas supply line for natural air (components about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% residual gases)

38

Booster / feed pump to the gassing device (optional)

39

dust filter

40

sterilizing filter

41

Flow meter

42

Stopcock-JRückschlagventilkombination

43

Temperature measurement signal line

44

Measuring unit (optional) - O2, N2, CO2, temp., Pressure (optional one / all value (s))

45

Stopcock / check valve combination to / from the filling line

46

Measuring unit (optional) - O2, N2, CO2, temp., Pressure (optional one / all value (s))

47

Pressure increase / delivery pump of the filling line to the filling device (optional)

48

bottling line

Fig. 1.1 Section through the main container [ 10 ]

49

Enrichment management of the enrichment cycle after fumigation facility, identical to no.

23

50

Angle of injection of the enrichment line into the main tank; preferably tangential at about 23 °

51

Main tank, identical to [

10

] (View cut from above)

52

Stopcock / check valve combination to / from the main tank

53

Evacuation line (optional) vacuum pump (optional)

54

Evacuation line (optional)

Claims (5)

1. Process for the preparation of drinking water enriched with all natural air gas components by

• a) the drinking water is enriched with air in a pressurized gassing device and stored in a pressurized main tank,
• b) being enriched with atmospheric oxygen to an oxygen content in the range of 10-80 mg per liter
• c) and enrichment with atmospheric nitrogen takes place to a nitrogen content of 10-100 mg per liter
• d) and the liquid treated in this way is filled into pressure-sealed containers, in particular bottles.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid fully or partially degassed before the enrichment process and / or is sterilized. 3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that that the oxygenation to a value of 15 to 35 mg per liter he follows. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in addition a carbon dioxide enrichment to a value from 0 to 7 g per liter. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the liquid to be fumigated and / or the supplied gases or the optionally supplied carbon dioxide to a temperature in one Range from 0-20 ° C, brought during the enrichment process becomes.