Carbonation is a process used to dissolve carbon dioxide gas in a liquid, commonly used in the production of carbonated beverages. Achieving efficient carbonation requires careful control of temperature, pressure, and flow conditions. By adjusting these parameters, carbonation efficiency can be maximized, producing a higher concentration of CO₂in the liquid.

Temperature is a key factor in CO₂ solubility. In this case, the CO₂ gas and the liquid are cooled to 20°C. Lower temperatures enhance the solubility of CO₂, enabling a greater volume of gas to dissolve within the liquid. At this temperature, the CO₂gas is pressurized to approximately 550 kPa. Elevated pressure increases the partial pressure of CO₂over the liquid, further driving dissolution.

CO₂ is pumped through a connecting pipe between two tanks, where the flow characteristics are crucial for maintaining steady carbonation. The high Reynolds number, defined as greater than 4000, indicates that the flow is turbulent rather than laminar. Turbulent flow improves gas-liquid contact by promoting mixing, which enhances CO₂dissolution in the liquid. The Reynolds number (Re) is calculated using the equation:

where:

1. ρ is the density of CO₂,
2. v is the velocity of flow,
3. D is the pipe diameter,
4. μ is the dynamic viscosity of CO₂.

The flow rate of CO₂in this system is controlled by the pipe's cross-sectional area and the velocity of the gas. To maintain turbulent conditions, the flow velocity v is adjusted based on the desired Reynolds number, which allows the required pipe diameter to be calculated.

The Reynolds number equation can be rearranged to determine the pipe diameter for the required turbulent flow. Thedynamic viscosity μ of CO₂at 20°C are obtained using physical property tables. The optimal pipe diameter can be calculated by substituting these values along with the target Reynolds number and flow velocity into the equation. This configuration ensures efficient CO₂transport through the system, optimizing the liquid's carbonation conditions.