An Improved Method and Apparatus for Saturating Liquids with Gases, and for Bottling Liquids so Saturated.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May. 1894
Complète Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 30th Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method and Apparatus for Saturating Liquids with
Gases, and for Bottling Liquids so Saturated.
I, JAN FREDERIK BEINS, Chemist, of 1 B. Hoffmanplein, Rotterdam, in the
Kingdom of Holland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for saturating
liquids with gases and for bottling liquids so saturated.
By my improved method, the liquid is brought in a finely divided condition into
a chamber containing the gas with which it is to be saturated under pressure, so
that the gas may be absorbed directly the liquid comes into contact with it, special
mixing or agitating mechanism being rendered unnecessary.
In apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, the liquid to be
saturated with gas is forced into a saturating compartment through porous
material; the gas to be absorbed by the liquid being confined in that compartment
under the pressure desired for effecting absorption.
By way of example, I will now describe the application of my invention for
saturating water with carbonic acid gas, though it will be understood that other
liquids may be saturated with air, oxygen, ammonia or other gas on the same
system.
The apparatus I employ comprises a closed vessel or chamber, preferably of
cylindrical shape. Its walls must be sufficiently thick and strong to withstand
the pressure which is required to bring about absorption, and they are therefore
usually made of metal. This chamber or vessel is divided by a partition into two
compartments, one above the other. Into the partition are tightly fitted tubes of
porous earthenware or other material. The upper ends of the porous tubes are
closed and project into the higher compartment, which contains the liquid to be
eventually saturated, while their open ends terminate in the lower compartment,
which acts as the absorption or saturating compartment. The precise shape of the
porous tubes is of secondary importance, and caps, domes or other suitably con-
structed porous bodies may, if preferred, be substituted for the tubes. If desired,
the partition or diaphragin may be porous and may be integral with the porous
tubes, caps, domes or bodies. The upper compartment is provided with a safety
valve and a charging orifice capable of being closed when, required, and each of
the compartments may be furnished with a pressure gauge. The pipe for the gas
supply may be divided into two branches; one branch leading into the higher or
liquid compartment, and the other branch into the lower or absorption compartment.
The latter branch is preferably provided with a valve which may be so weighted
that the gas in the absorption compartment is compressed to a predetermined
degree less than that which is conveyed into the liquid compartment, although gas
is forced through both branches under the same pressure.
The liquid compartment having been filled through the feeding orifice with the
liquid to be saturated, and this orifice having been closed, the gas to be absorbed
is introduced under pressure to the gas supply pipe. In the case of carbonic acid
gas, which, like other gases, may be obtained in the market in a compressed
condition in special reservoirs, it is only necessary to connect such a reservoir with
the gas supply pipe and to open the cock with which such pipe is fitted. Supposing
it is desired that the carbonic acid should be admitted at a pressure of three

page_text: atmospheres, and that the valve on the branch leading into the absorption com-
partment is weighted to one atmosphere, the pressure of the gas will be three
atmospheres in the liquid compartment and two atmospheres in the absorption
compartment. The liquid is forced through the walls of the porous tubes into the
absorption compartment under an effective pressure of one atmosphere, being the
difference between the pressures in the two compartments, and arrives in a finely
divided condition in contact with the carbonic acid under a pressure of two
atmospheres, with the result that it is immediately and thoroughly saturated with
carbonic acid, whereupon it descends into the lower part of the absorption
compartment ready for withdrawal.
The degree of saturation may be varied by altering the pressure under which
the liquid meets the gas to be absorbed. The speed with which the liquid enters
the absorption compartment, after permeating the porous walls, may be controlled
by regulating the difference between the pressures in the two compartments, which
can be done by means of the valve on the branch communicating with the
absorption compartment.
It will be understood that the gas, instead of being supplied direct from
reservoirs in which it is confined under pressure, may be fed to the apparatus by
means of a pump connected with the supply pipe. If desired, the pressure under
which the liquid to be treated is forced through the porous material may be
produced by pumping gas into the liquid compartment without the use of the
branch-pipe. Again, it is possible, especially in the manufacture of mineral
waters, to connect the water pipe directly with the liquid compartment, so that
the existing pressure of the liquid may be utilised.
From the foregoing description, it will be understood that the improved
apparatus enables liquid highly saturated with gas to be produced without the
employment of any stirring or agitating mechanism, and even without the use of a
pump.
con-
To enable liquid saturated with gas by means of the improved apparatus to be
bottled with a minimum loss of gas and reduction of pressure, a three-way cock
may be provided between the safety-valve on the liquid compartment and that
compartment; a pipe leading from the safety-valve to the discharge-nozzle. The
gas escaping from the bottle, while it is being filled with saturated liquid,
ducted through the pipe to the safety-valve. The discharge-nozzle is moreover
connected with the lower portion of the absorption compartment by a discharge-
pipe provided with a cock. The frequent blowing away of the gas or air, which
hitherto has been necessary in drawing off and bottling saturated liquid, is by the
use of this apparatus avoided.
When it is desired to bottle liquid the saturation of which with gas has just been
completed, the safety-valve may be adjusted until the pressure it controls is lower
than the pressure in the absorption compartment; the three-way cock being turned
until the pipe from the discharge-nozzle communicates with the safety-valve. The
bottle is then pressed with its orifice against the discharge-nozzle, whereupon the
discharge-cock is opened. The bottle immediately becomes full of saturated liquid,
while the air from the bottle escapes through the safety-valve. In this manner,
the liquid saturated with gas under pressure may be drawn off with a minimum loss
of gas and liquid. If desired, the apparatus may be combined with a stoppering
machine of suitable construction.
It will be obvious that, if preferred, the safety-valve may remain set for the
original pressure, as it will generally be possible to produce a sufficient difference
of pressure in the compartments for enabling the saturated liquid to be forced into
the bottles in the desired condition.

page_text: An Improved Method and Apparatus for Saturating Liquids with
Gases, and for Bottling Liquids so Saturated.
I, JAN FREDERIK BEINS, Chemist, of 1 B. Hoffmanplein, Rotterdam, in the
Kingdom of Holland, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for saturating
liquids with gases and for bottling liquids so saturated.
By my improved method, the liquid is brought in a finely divided condition into
a chamber containing the gas with which it is to be saturated under pressure, so
that the gas may be absorbed directly the liquid comes into contact with it; special
mixing or agitating mechanism being rendered unnecessary.
In apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention, the liquid to be
saturated with gas is forced into a saturating compartment through porous
material; the gas to be absorbed by the liquid being confined in that compartment
under the pressure desired for effecting absorption.
In the accompanying drawing is represented, in vertical section, apparatus adapted
for carrying out my invention.
By way of example, I will describe my invention as applied in saturating water
with carbonic acid gas, though it will be understood that other liquids may be
saturated with air, oxygen, ammonia or other gas on the same system.
The apparatus I employ comprises a closed vessel or chamber R, preferably
cylindrical in form. Its walls must be sufficiently thick and strong to withstand
the pressure which is required to bring about absorption, and they are therefore
usually made of metal. This chamber or vessel is divided by a partition T into
two compartments, one above the other. Into the partition are tightly fitted
tubes a a of porous earthenware or other material. The upper ends of the porous
tubes a a are closed and project into the compartment r, which contains the liquid
to be eventually saturated, while their open ends terminate in the compartment r¹,
which acts as the absorption or saturating compartment. The precise shape of the
porous tubes is of secondary importance, and caps, domes or other suitably con-
structed porous bodies may, if preferred, be substituted for the tubes. If desired,
the partition or diaphragm T may be porous and may be integral with the porous
tubes, caps, domes or bodies. The upper compartment r is provided with a safety-
valve S, and a charging orifice D capable of being closed when required, and each
of the compartments may be respectively furnished with a pressure gauge
indicated by the dotted circles m m. The pipe k for the gas supply may be
divided into two branches k²; the branch leading into the liquid compartment. r,
and the other branch into the absorption compartment r. The latter branch is
preferably provided with a valve V which may be so weighted that the gas in the
absorption compartment is compressed to a predetermined degree less than that
which is conveyed into the liquid compartment, although gas is forced through both
the branches kk under the same pressure.
The liquid compartment having been filled through the feeding orifice D with the
liquid to be saturated, and this orifice having been closed, the gas to be absorbed is
In the case
introduced under pressure to the gas supply pipe k and branches k¹ k².
of carbonic acid gas, which, like other gases, may be obtained in the market in a
compressed condition in special reservoirs, it is only necessary to connect such a
reservoir with the gas supply pipe k and to open the cock with which such pipe is
fitted. Supposing it is desired that the carbonic acid should be admitted at a
pressure of three atmospheres, and that the valve V on the branch k², leading into

page_text: the absorption compartment, is weighted to one atmosphere, the pressure of the gas
will be three atmospheres in the liquid compartment and two atmospheres in the
absorption compartment. The liquid is thus forced through the walls of the
porous tubes a and the diaphragm T into the absorption compartment r¹ under an
effective pressure of one atmosphere, being the difference between the pressures in
the two compartments, and arrives in a finely divided condition in contact with the
carbonic acid under a pressure of two atmospheres, with the result that it is
immediately and thoroughly saturated with carbonic acid, whereupon it descends
into the lower part of the absorption compartment ready for withdrawal.
The degree of saturation may be varied by altering the pressure under which the
liquid meets the gas to be absorbed. The speed with which the liquid enters the
absorption compartment, after permeating the porous walls, may be controlled by
regulating the difference between the pressures in the two compartments, which can
be effected by means of the valve V on the branch communicating with the
absorption compartment .
It will be understood that the gas, instead of being supplied direct from
reservoirs in which it is confined under pressure, may be fed to the apparatus by
means of a pump connected with the supply pipe k. If desired, the pressure under
which the liquid to be treated is forced through the porous material may be
produced by pumping gas into the liquid compartment without the use of the
branch-pipe . Again, it is possible, especially in the manufacture of mineral
waters, to connect the water pipe directly with the liquid compartment, so that the
existing pressure of the liquid may be utilised.
From the foregoing description, it will be understood that without the employ-
ment of any stirring or agitating mechanism, and even without the use of a
pump, the improved apparatus enables liquid highly saturated with gas to be
produced.
For enabling liquids saturated with gas, by means of the improved apparatus
herein before described, to be bottled with a minimum loss of gas and reduction of
pressure, a three-way cock H is provided between the safety-valve S and the liquid
compartment; a pipe I leading from the said cock H to the discharge-nozzle A.
The gas escaping from the bottle, while it is being filled with saturated liquid,
is conducted through the pipe I and cock H to the safety-valve S. The discharge-
nozzle A is moreover in communication with the lower portion of the absorption
compartment by way of the discharge-pipe h provided with a cock h'. The
frequent blowing away of the gas or air, which hitherto has been necessary in
drawing off and bottling saturated liquid, is by the use of this apparatus avoided.
When it is desired to bottle liquid, the saturation of which with gas has just
been completed, the safety-valve S may be adjusted until the pressure it controls is
lower than that indicated by the gauge m' on the absorption compartment ; the
three-way cock H being turned until the pipe I from the discharge-nozzle A
communicates with the safety-valve S. The bottle is then pressed with its orifice
against the discharge-nozzle A, whereupon the discharge-cock 4' is opened. The
bottle immediately becomes full of saturated liquid, while the air from the bottle
escapes by way of the pipe I through the safety-valve S.
In this manner, the
liquid saturated with gas under pressure may be drawn off with a minimum loss of
gas and liquid. If desired the apparatus may be combined with a stoppering
machine of suitable construction.
It will be obvious that, if preferred, the safety-valve may remain set for the
original pressure, as it will generally be possible to produce a sufficient difference
of pressure in the compartment for enabling the saturated liquid to be forced into
the bottles in the desired condition.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved method of saturating liquids with gases, substantially as herein
described; consisting in forcing the liquid under treatment through a porous

page_text: partition or body so as to arrive in a finely divided condition in contact with the
gas with which it is to be saturated whereby immediate and thorough absorption of
the gas is effected.
2. The improved apparatus for saturating liquid with gases, constructed substan-
tially as herein described and in such a manner that the space or chamber
containing the gas to be absorbed is connected with means for supplying the liquid
to be saturated in such a manner that this liquid is forced through a sheet or layer
of porous material into the saturation chamber.
3. The improved apparatus for saturating liquid with gases, constructed
substantially as herein described and in such a manner that an absorption or
saturation chamber is separated from a liquid-containing chamber or reservoir r
by a complete or partial porous partition or diaphragm (such as T a a), whereby,
when there is pressure in excess in the liquid reservoir, the liquid contained therein
permeates the porous partition and enters the absorption chamber in a finely
divided condition in which state it meets the gas it is intended to absorb, with the
result that the absorption takes place instantly.
4. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to for saturating liquid with gases,
feeding the gas to be absorbed by the liquid by means of tubing, such as kkk³,
which enables the gas to be conveyed both to the liquid reservoir and to the
absorption chamber at the same time, but at a higher pressure as regards the
former; a suitable pressure-reducing device, such as V being provided in
the conduit k leading to the absorption chamber; the result being that the liquid
is forced from the liquid reservoir through the porous sheet or partition, or through
porous bodies, such as a a a into the absorption chamber.
5. In apparatus of the kind herein referred to for saturating liquid with gases,
the improved means for drawing off the saturated liquid and bottling the same,
comprising the pipe connecting the absorption chamber with the discharge
nozzle A (to which nozzle are tightly fitted the orifices of the vessels to be filled
with the liquid), connecting the discharge nozzle A with a discharge pipe I for
conducting away the air escaping from the vessel in course of being filled, and
means for controlling the escape of the air or gas through the pipe I so that
it takes place under a counter-pressure which may be but little below or above
the saturation-pressure, the "blowing-off," hitherto necessary, being thereby
obviated.
Dated the 22nd day of Fahruan 100%