Carbonation measuring system and process

Claim 1

A process for continuously measuring the carbonation level of a carbonated and pressurized water based liquid beverage having carbon dioxide under pressure applied thereto, in a beverage carbonation process, from a continuous process stream, comprising the steps of: a. continuously contacting a first side of a gas permeable element with the carbonated and pressurized liquid beverage from the continuous process stream such that carbon dioxide permeates through the element substantially in proportion to the extent of carbonation of the liquid beverage; b. continuously contacting a second opposite side of said gas permeable element with a diluent gas stream such that carbon dioxide permeating through the element is picked up by the diluent gas stream; c. continuously detecting the concentration of carbon dioxide in the diluent gas stream to provide a continuous measurement of the extent of carbonation of the liquid beverage in the continuous process stream; and d. utilizing the result of said detecting step to control the carbonation of the beverage in the carbonation process to obtain a carbonated beverage having a suitable beverage carbonation level.

Claim 10

A system for continuously measuring the carbonation level of a carbonated and pressurized water based liquid beverage, having carbon dioxide applied thereto, in a beverage carbonation system, from a continuous process stream comprising: a. an enclosure separated by a gas permeable element into first and second chambers; b. means for continuously introducing the carbonated and pressurized liquid beverage from the continuous process stream into said first chamber adjacent to a first side of said gas permeable element; c. means for continuously introducing a diluent gas stream into said second chamber adjacent to a second, opposite side of said gas permeable element, such that carbon dioxide permeating through the element is picked up by the diluent gas stream; d. means for continuously detecting the concentration of carbon dioxide in the diluent gas stream to provide a continuous measurement of the extent of carbonation of the liquid beverage from the continuous process stream; e. means, coupled to said detecting means, for controlling the carbonation of the beverage in the beverage carbonation system to obtain a carbonated beverage having a suitable beverage carbonation level.

Claim 11

A system for continuously measuring the carbonation level of a carbonated and pressurized water based liquid beverage, having carbon dioxide applied thereto, in a beverage carbonation system, from a continuous process stream comprising: a. an enclosure separated by a gas permeable element into first and second chambers; b. means for continuously introducing the carbonated and pressurized liquid beverage from the continuous process stream into said first chamber adjacent to a first side of said gas permeable element; c. means for continuously introducing a diluent gas stream into said second chamber adjacent to a second, opposite side of said gas permeable element, such that carbon dioxide permeating through the element is picked up by the diluent gas stream; d. means for continuously detecting the concentration of carbon dioxide in the diluent gas stream to provide a continuous measurement of the extent of carbonation of the liquid beverage from the continuous process stream; e. means, coupled to said detecting means, for controlling the carbonation of the beverage in the beverage carbonation system to obtain a carbonated beverage having a suitable beverage carbonation level.