NZ620209B2 - Producing or dispensing liquid products - Google Patents

Abstract

system to protect the membrane in a membrane contactor used on a liquid dispensing system. A beverage, for example, is dispensed via a membrane contactor (1). The contactor employs a plurality of gas-permeable hollow fibres. The contactor has a gas port (2) communicating with the interior of the fibres and input (3) and output (4) ports for liquid communicating with space within the contactor surrounding the fibres. A gas comprising carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide is dissolved in the liquid in the contactor. The gas at a controlled pressure is supplied to the gas port (2). The liquid is supplied at a higher pressure than the gas to the input port (3) for liquid from a supply (9) of such liquid via a first valve (6) having a first valve inlet port communicating with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port communicating with the inlet port for liquid. Liquid with the gas dissolved therein is dispensed from the outlet port for liquid via a dispense tap to ambient. The dispensing liquid step includes a start dispense step in which dispensing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped. The first valve (6) is opened with the dispensing tap in the start dispense step, and is closed in the stop dispense step. Pressure build-up is relieved in liquid in communication with the space within the contactor surrounding the fibres after closure of the first valve (6) and while maintaining the first valve (6) closed. The balance between gas pressure and liquid pressure during the systems' standby periods protects the membranes from flooding. The pressure relief may be performed by either removing a small volume of the static liquid after the dispensing step has stopped or allowing the volume of static liquid to expand by a small volume. A formula is given to calculate the appropriate volume. ibres and input (3) and output (4) ports for liquid communicating with space within the contactor surrounding the fibres. A gas comprising carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide is dissolved in the liquid in the contactor. The gas at a controlled pressure is supplied to the gas port (2). The liquid is supplied at a higher pressure than the gas to the input port (3) for liquid from a supply (9) of such liquid via a first valve (6) having a first valve inlet port communicating with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port communicating with the inlet port for liquid. Liquid with the gas dissolved therein is dispensed from the outlet port for liquid via a dispense tap to ambient. The dispensing liquid step includes a start dispense step in which dispensing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped. The first valve (6) is opened with the dispensing tap in the start dispense step, and is closed in the stop dispense step. Pressure build-up is relieved in liquid in communication with the space within the contactor surrounding the fibres after closure of the first valve (6) and while maintaining the first valve (6) closed. The balance between gas pressure and liquid pressure during the systems' standby periods protects the membranes from flooding. The pressure relief may be performed by either removing a small volume of the static liquid after the dispensing step has stopped or allowing the volume of static liquid to expand by a small volume. A formula is given to calculate the appropriate volume.

Description

PRODUCING OR DISPENSING LIQUID PRODUCTS Field of Disclosure This disclosure relates to the production or sing of liquid products. The term “liquid” is used in this disclosure to encompass both truc liquids and semi—liquids such as creams, emulsions, and foams that retain at least some ability to flow.

Background Some s such as draught beverages require n levels of gases, particularly carbon dioxide, alone or together with other gases, to be ved in at least one of the constituent liquids in order to achieve a desired property such as the desired taste and presentation s in the dispensed drink. Other liquids such as certain dairy products similarly require levels ofnitrous oxide, alone or together with other gases to be ved in at least one of the constituent liquids in order to achieve a desired foamed constituency upon dispense The use of gas/liquid tor modules containing gas-permeable hollow fibres for controlling dissolved gases in s is well known. Examples of such contactors and associated schemes for control of their operation have been described in US 5565149 and US 7104531, the disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. The age of such contactors is their lity of achieving bubbledess and efficient transfer of gases into solution in liquids without causing turbulence or mechanical . agitation of the liquid.

These contactor modules are typically constructed with a gas port which is ted to a pressurised gas source and two ports connected respectively to a liquid Source and to a dispense tap.

For contactor modules utilising the types of fibres described in US 5565149 and US 7104531, the gas port communicates with the cores or bore side of the hollow fibres, and the liquid ports communicate with the outer surfaces or shell side of fibres. This format provides a large surface area for contact between gas and liquid to give efficient PCT/G32012/000804 gas transfer into the liquid together with low frictional loss when liquid flows h the contactor. The gas transfer efficiency, defined as the ratio of gas actually dissolved in the output liquid to the saturation level of gas for the applied gas pressure and the process temperature, s on the detailed design of the contactor. This efficiency generally kn increases with increasing residence time ofthe liquid within the contactor.

The preferred type of fibre used in such contactors may be classified as permeable, asymmetric skinned, and hydrophobic. Such fibres are preferred for the addition of gases to ges because they have a relatively high ance to flooding and their surfaces which are in contact with the liquids are smooth and so contain very few sites which could encourage biological growths to form. However, in practice, there may be a small number of physical defects in some fibre walls which defects may allow passage of liquid from the shell side into the bore side when hydraulic pressure exceeds gas pressure. The rate of liquid penetration h such defects ses in proportion to the pressure differential between liquid and gas.

Beverage dispense applications involve long periods when liquid is static within the shell side of the contactor before being caused to flow out to the dispense tap.

Practical se systems using hollow fibre contactors therefore include pressure control devices in the feed gas and liquid s to avoid flooding of the fibre bores and also to ensure that the liquid s the gases in solution within both the contactor and the tube g from its outlet port to the se tap. US 5565149 and US 7104531 disclose examples of such controls.

In practical tests with these contactors, liquid can be ed in the bore side of modules after maintaining an excess liquid pressure of about 0.1MPa (1 bar) to the shell side for longer than 1 hour. Ultimately, exposure to such condition will cause the bore side volume ofsome fibres to flood and lead to reduced efficiency of gas transfer.

Standard pressure control devices can be used to achieve an approximate balance between liquid and gas pressures for contactors when the liquid is supplied from a gas driven pump. It is also possible to achieve approximate pressure balance when electrically-driven pumps are used.

PCT/G82012/000804 It is a natural characteristic of electrically-driven and gas-driven beverage pumps that their liquid ry pressures increase when output liquid flow rates are reduced, and are at a maximum when the outlet flow is stopped. in beverage dispense applications this characteristic is exploited to cause such pumps to stop and start automatically in response to their ream liquid pressures.

Most electrically-driven pumps for use with beverages incorporate a pressure switch communicating with their outlet for liquid delivery, while iven pumps rely on flexible diaphragms and non-return valves. Working differentials n the starting pressure and the stopping pressure of these pumps are due to the mechanical hysteresis in their corresponding components, so that, when the dispense tap is open, the liquid’s pressure at the outlet of the pump is lower than when the dispense tap is .

With conventional control schemes in beverage dispense systems using membrane contactors, the pressures of gas and liquid within the contactor can therefore be ed with reasonable cy either for the condition when liquid is flowing or for the condition when it is not flowing.

In draught se practice, since liquid is only caused to flow intermittently through the contactor, controls will tionally be chosen to protect the contactor arranging for the pressures of gas and liquid to be balanced during the much longer periods when there is no ement for liquid to flow. Consequently, the applied gas pressure will normally be greater than the applied liquid pressure during se flow.

For a esigned membrane contactor, this method of control exposes the carbonated liquid to super-saturated conditions during dispense, risking the formation of gas bubbles in the contactor and in the tubing between its outlet and the dispense tap.

Super—saturation increases the difficulties of dispensing -carbonated beverages, especially those which have a tendency to form foam on dispense, Examples of such drinks include beers, lagers, wines and some brands of whisky-water mixes.

US 5565149, in the Figures 10 and l1 and in the description in that document, disclosed for the first time the observation of surprisingly high carbonation levels when carbonating beverages in certain types of dispense systems utilising membrane 2012/000804 contactors. In US 9 it was postulated that intermittent operation of the dispense tap caused transients in the pressure and flow in the liquid side of the contactor which resulted in significant changes in liquid boundary layers surroundingeach fibre, and hence allowed an sed carbonation compared to that found under operation at continuous liquid flow.

In parallel with that surprisingly increased carbonation, the pressure of liquid within the contactor sed after the dispense tap closed, and in US 5565149 it was assumed that this pressure increase was the result of the increased carbonation.

In our tests of beverage dispense systems using membrane contactors to carbonate liquids we have now ered that the ation for that surprising observation given in US 5565149 was incomplete.

We have found that this increase in liquid pressure will occur in all beverage dispense systems using membrane contactors to dissolve gases in liquids where, at the end of each diSpense event, the —containing part of the contactor communicates with a closed liquid volume.

This effect has an important and additional significance in the control of such systems utilising such contactors.

It is our present belief that, fore, no control s have been commercially available that are capable both of protecting the membranes of dispense systems utilising membrane contactors of the general type generally described in US ,565,149 from flooding during standby periods and of avoiding super-saturation dining dispense events. Any such control systems would need to have parts that contact the liquid being dispensed that can be sanitised in situ using normal cleaning precedures.

Using a conventional control scheme, at the instant when the se tap is closed the pressure of liquid within the contactor increases as expected to the normal d pressure which is characteristic of the particular beverage pump being used.

However, we have found that this liquid re does not then remain constant, but starts to increase fimher over a short period oftime. The final pressure achieved is significantly greater than the pump’s stalled pressure, and it then remains constant until the next diSpense event.

Our measurements show that the magnitude of this effect is very similar for carbonation of beer, wine or de-aerated water at a temperature of 3 degrees Celsius, using membrane contactors with liquid capacity 200ml.

We have carried out detailed measurements using deaerated water as the liquid being carbonated, the results being set out below. ‘ Liquid volumes each of 250 ml were dispensed using a flow rate of 11 ml per second at equal intervals of 2.5 minutes. From previous measurements it was determined that the efficiency of the contactor being employed was approximately 93% for a continuous flow at ll millilitres per second. The residence time of 2.5 minutes between dispense events is known to be ently long for the contactor’s liquid contents to reach full saturation.

Liquid was supplied to the contactor by a iven pump connected to a gas pressure of 0.25 MPa, which'resulted in a flow pressure of 0.22 MPa and a stalled pressure of 0.25 MPa. In these measurements the pressure of carbon e applied to the contactor was maintained constant at 0.22 MPa.

Each time that dispense flow stopped, the observed liquid pressure in the contactor immediately increased from 0.22 MP3 to the stall pressure of 0.25 MPa, and then it began to se r over a period of 25 s and reached a final value n 0.33 and 0.35 MPa. This pressure then remained constant until the next dispense event.

This effect, causing a significant increase in liquid pressure above the beverage pump’s stalled pressure, means that usly proposed draught carbonating dispense systems utilising membrane contactors have been unable to achieve the necessary controlled balance n liquid pressure and gas pressure, with the consequence that the efficiency ofthe membrane contactor decreases over time.

PCTIG32012/000804 In further tests carried out on the system using the same process conditions, after each closure of the dispense tap, additional amounts of liquid were carefully withdrawn downstream of the contactor. These amounts were small enough to prevent the gas-driven liquid pump from rting. The liquid pressure in the contactor was initially reduced by this action, and then increased at the same rate and over the same period as previously observed, but to final values which were lower than observed in the earlier tests.

We have found that the final liquid pressure was determined by the volume of extra liquid drawn off, provided that such volume was less than 0.9 ml. When the additional volume of 0.91111 or greater was withdrawn the final liquid pressure achieved was equal to the applied gas pressure.

In yet further tests, the single contactor was replaced by two contactors of the same type which were connected in series. Process temperature and pressure conditions were unaltered, but the dispense volumes and flow rate were increased to 500ml and 22ml per second respectively. We found that a final pressure balance could be achieved if the amount of liquid awn after diSpense was increased to 1.8ml.

Carbonation of water is known to be an exothermic s, and at this level it causes approximately-2 degrees Celsius increase in liquid temperature. However, this would result in a thermal expansion of only 0.08 ml of liquid Within the single contaotor used in our tests. We therefore conclude that the ed effect of re increase was not caused by thermal expansion ofthe liquid.

At the instant when the dispense tap closes and liquid flow stops, a nt in the local carbonation naturally exists within the tor, with virtually no ation present at the inlet end and a high carbonation, here at 93% of saturation, at the outlet end.

The ultimate carbonation level of the liquid within the contactor, attained a short period ing closure of the se valve, is determined by both the applied pressure of gas and the temperature ofthe liquid.

Z012/000804 We concluded that net expansion of the liquid was caused by the process of onal carbonation taking place within the contactor, commencing at. the instant when dispense flow stops and continuing until all of its contained liquid reaches saturation carbonation. The hydraulic pressure of the trapped liquid increases as it s against containment by membrane fibres and flexible tubing in the circuit.

We are supported in these views by mental work published in a quite different field bearing no relation to carbonating beverages during dispense utilising membrane contactors, namely ocean research. Yongchen Song et a] have shown that the ratio of density of carbonated water to that of plain water, and the difference between those densities, increase ly with the level of carbonation, and that these effects are independent of pressure and temperature. (Measurement ofthe density afC02 solution by Mach—Zehnder Interferometry; erz Song et. al; Annals ofthe New York Academy ofSciences 972 (2002); 206-212).

The magnitudes of the volume increases which we found in our own tests described above are in full agreement with calculations from the published data of Yongchen Song et a}.

We have found that, in carbonation dispense using membrane tors, the amount of this liquid expansion is proportional to the ~containing volume of the contactor and also to the te saturation level of carbonation.

For carbonation, the magnitude of the expansion is simply expressed to sufficient accuracy by formula (1) below: Vc.C.(1—o.5n) .............(1) where K = a constant, approximately 7.2 x 10" Av = characteristic liquid expansion amount for the contactor, in millilitres Va == liquid volume of contactor, in millilitres C = saturation level of carbonation, in grams per litre n = efficiency of contactor at continuous flow condition Many carbonation dispense applications require vely high flow rates, say 0.045 litres per second or more, and vely high carbonation levels, say 10 grams of dissolved carbon e per litre or higher. In order to achieve such carbonating performance the contactors will have liquid volumes of the order of 0.5 litres. The amount of liquid expansion following closure of the dispense tap will therefore be greater than 2 m1. This expansion will cause a very significant increase of liquid re, especially for compact carbonating systems of the type that would be ed in sing beverages from a bag-in—box container such as a polypin container employed for beer, with consequent damage to the membrane contactor.

Similar relationships will apply for other gases than carbon dioxide, but with different specific values for the constant K.

A significant ion effect will result when using other gases, such as nitrous oxide, which, like carbon dioxide, have high solubilities in the liquids which form tuents ofbeverages.

Thus, problems similar to those discussed above will arise in dispense s for other liquids or semi—liquids that add a highly soluble gas to the liquid at the point of dispense, where a membrane contactor is employed, as for example in the dispensing of foamed milk or cream, where the gas added at dispense is nitrous oxide. Where the added gas is nitrogen, oxygen or mixtures thereof such as compressed air, the problem is not significant, since the solubility of these gases in an aqueous liquid is very much less than the solubility of carbon dioxide or of nitrous oxide.

The present disclosure seeks to overcome the problems inherent in previous systems involving addition of carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide to liquids during dispense utilising a membrane contactor.

Summary of the sure Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughoutlthe description and the claims, the words ise’, ‘comprising’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive (followed by page 8a) sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say in the sense of “including but not limited to”.

According to a first aspect of the t disclosure, there is provided a method for producing or dispensing liquid products in which a membrane contactor employing a plurality of gas-permeable hollow fibres, the tor having a gas port communicating [FOLLOWED BY PAGE 9] PCT/GBZOIZ/000804 with the interior of the fibres and input and output ports for liquid communicating with Space within the contactor surrounding the fibres, is employed to ve a gas comprising carbon dioxide or s oxide in a liquid, the method comprising the steps supplying the said gas at a controlled pressure to the gas port; supplying a liquid at a higher pressure than the gas to the input port for liquid from a supply of such liquid via a first valve having a first valve inlet port communicating with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port icating with the inlet port for liquid; and dispensing liquid with said gas dissolved therein from the output port for liquid via a dispense tap to ambient, the dispensing liquid step including a start dispense step in which sing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped, the first valve being opened with said dispensing tap in said start dispense step, and being closed in said stop dispense step; and relieving pressure build-up in liquid in communication with the said space after closure of the first valve and while maintaining the first valve closed.

Preferred embodiments of the method include one or more of the following features: The said pressure build—up is ed by awing at least a predetermined 2O volume of liquid from an otherwise closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space; and the predetermined volume may comprises a characteristic volume corresponding to the expansion of liquid that would otherwise occur in said space absent said withdrawing step due to continuing dissolving of the gas in liquid in said space after stopping dispense. Alternatively, the said re p is relieved by allowing a closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space to expand by at least a characteristic volume. In either such case, the characteristic volume may be ined by the formula (1) above.

Embodiments of the method that involve withdrawing at least a predetermined volume of liquid from said liquid in communication with the said space may include one or more of the following features: The withdrawing step is performed by closing the dispense tap at least a predetermined interval correSponding to said predetermined volume after closure of the first valve. A second valve, having a second valve input port and a second valve output port, is coupled to receive liquid from said space at said second PCT/G32012/000804 valve input port, and is opened in the interval from and ing one of opening of the first valve and closure of the first valve and closed a predetermined interval corresponding to said predetermined volume after closure of the first valve to pass liquid from said second valve output port to a position permanently at a pressure below that of said space. The start dispense step comprises opening the first and second valves and the dispense tap at the same time. The second valve is opened when the first valve closes.

The second valve outlet port communicates with the outlet of the dispense tap. The step of ing a liquid at a higher pressure than the gas comprises delivering liquid from a supply thereof at a pressure lower than said higher re by a pump having a suction side and a delivery side, the suction side being coupled to said supply and the delivery side being coupled to the inlet port for liquid; and wherein the second valve outlet port communicates with one of said suction side and said supply. ments of the method that involve allowing a closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space to expand by a characteristic volume may include one or more of the following features: In a preferred arrangement, the liquid comprises a beverage supplied substantially at ambient pressure in a bag-in-box container, the step of supplying a liquid at a higher pressure than the gas comprising delivering liquid from the said ner by a pump having a suction side and a delivery side, the suction side being coupled to said container and the delivery side being coupled to the inlet port for liquid.

In a second and alternative aspect of this. disclosure, the present invention apparatus for adding a gas comprising carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide to a liquid during dispense thereoffrom a supply of said liquid comprises: a membrane contactor having a contactor housing with a plurality of gas- permeable hollow fibres mounted n, the contactor housing having a gas port communicating with the interior of the fibres and adapted to receive said gas at a controlled pressure thereat, and input and output ports for liquid communicating with space within the tor housing surrounding the fibres; a first valve having a first valve inlet port arranged for ication with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port communicating with the inlet port for liquid WO 61015 ZOlZ/000804 and arranged for supply of said liquid to the inlet port for liquid at a higher pressure than said controlled gas pressure; a dispense tap coupled to the output port for liquid and adapted to dispense liquid to ambient: and a control system coupled to monitor opening and closing of the first valve and the dispense tap, whereby to the control a start dispense step in which dispensing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped, the control system being arranged to open the first valve with said dispensing tap in said start dispense step, and being arranged to close said first valve in said stOp dispense step, and to relieve re build-up in liquid in communication with the said Space after closure of the first valve and while maintaining the first valve closed.

In preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the control system is arranged to cause at least a predetermined volume of liquid, preferably a teristic volume defined by formula (1), to be withdrawn from an otherwise closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space. In other preferred embodiments of the apparatus, the control system is arranged to allow a closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space to expand by at least a characteristic volume, ably a teristic volume defined by formula (1). The control system may e a diaphragm chamber one side of which is coupled to liquid in conununication with the said space and the other side of which is coupled in said stop dispense step to gas at the gas port.

Those skilled in this field will readily appreciate that the above teachings enable use of hollow membrane contactors in a carbonation dispense, while substantially avoiding the drawbacks arising from the inherent pressure characteristics of liquid pumps and the uences of the additional liquid ion effect. By this means, substantial protection is provided against flooding of fibres at times when there is no ement for liquid to flow. During the short time when liquid is being diSpensed, a liquid pressure which is higher than the applied gas pressure is employed. This has no long-term effect on the membranes and avoids exposing carbonated liquid to super-saturated conditions in the tubing between the contactor and the dispense tap. This is advantageous when dispensing liquids which have high carbonation levels and which tend to foam.

PCT/G32012/000804 Moreover, no part of the liquid circuit contains stagnant liquid when the dispense tap is , therefore enabling cleaning of the se system according to standard practices without requiring removal ofcomponents.

Brief Description of the Drawings Reference may now be made to the description below in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose a number of embodiments utilising the teachings of this disclosure, in which: Fig. l is a somewhat schematic sectional view of a membrane contactor; Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram for a dispense system employing a contactor as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a graph illustrating, in successive lines, gas re within the membrane fibres and liquid pressure surrounding the fibres, gas flow and liquid se flow, in each case with t to time, for the embodiment of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows an ative embodiment of dispense system employing the contactor of Fig. l in a View similar to Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a graph similar to Fig. 3 for the embodiment of Fig. 4, illustrating in an onal line liquid flow through a relief valve; Fig. 6 shows a second alternative embodiment of dispense system employing the tor of Fig. l in a View similar to Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a schematic circuit diagram for a further embodiment of dispense system employing a contactor as shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional View through a diaphragm chamber; Fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of dispense system employing the contactor of Fig. I in a View similar to Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 shows a second alternative embodiment of dispense system employing the contactor of Fig. 1 in a view similar to Fig. 7.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments _ In the ption hereinbelow, the term gas is used to denote either carbon dioxide gas in a carbonation system or nitrous oxide in a s oxide foaming system.

PCT/GBZOI 21000804 Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown in a schematic manner the typical construction of a gas/liquid ctor l of the kind described in more detail in US 5565149. The contactor’s gas port 2 communicates with the bore volumes of aplurality separating of gas—permeable hollow fibres 22 whose open ends penetrate through seal from 2 are closed the shell side volume of 1 from its port 2. The ends of the fibres remote within seal 21. The liquid inlet port of contactor 1 is labelled 3 and its liquid outlet port is labelled 4. Ports 3 and 4 communicate with the shell—side volume which contains liquid.

Fig. 2 shows how the contactor l of Figure 1 may be connected in a system in which se of liquid is effected by manual operation of an electric push-button. is ly arranged approximately vertical with its liquid outlet port 4 use, contactor 1 lowermost. is supplied to port 2 via a pressure tor ’7. Liquid 15 Gas from a gas source 8 coil 61. inlet port 3 communicates with a pressurised liquid source 9 through a g Liquid outlet port 4 communicates via a cooled flow restriction element 51 with a flow from se valve 5. The pressure of the liquid supplied during dispense liquid and a source 9 is arranged to be higher than the gas pressure applied to port 2. Valve 5 and closed by second valve 6 intermediate liquid source 9 and cooling coil 61 are opened below. the action ofa remote actuator 11 and a control unit 10 in the manner explained Restriction 51 is normally included to achieve conditions in the liquid when flowing between port 4 and valve 5 which inhibit formation of gas bubbles prior to .when diSpensing the liquid.

Pressurised liquid source 9 is associated with a pump arranged to stop will be automatically when valve 6 . The stalled liquid pressure from the pump significantly higher than its flow pressure, when liquid is being sed from the system. unit To se liquid from valve 5, dispense actuator 11 is Operated and control causes substantially simultaneous opening of both valves 5 and 6. Liquid from source '9 then flows through ccntactor 1, first cliSplacing liquid hitherto held within contactor 1 and enabling additional gas, at the pressure regulated by regulator 7, to permeate from the bore side of the hollow fibres in contactor 1 through to their shell side where it dissolves into the ng liquid.

' When a sufficient volume of liquid has been sed, or 11 is released.

Control unit 10 then closes valve 6 immediately and closes valve 5 after a (are-determined delay. The duration of the delay between closing of valve 6 and closing of valve 5 is chosen so that the amount of liquid dispensed in this interval is approximately the same as the amount of liquid expansion calculated according to Formula (1). For example, for a system carbonating water to 10 grams per litre and sing at 0.045 litres per , this interval would typically be set to 0.05 seconds.

This sequence of control actions determines the behaviour of the liquid pressure in the shell side of contactor l in a manner which will now be explained by reference to Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 illustrates for this first embodiment and in a schematic manner without implying scale, the time’response of gas re within the fibres, P2, and liquid pressure outside the fibres, P4, h a sequence which includes a period during which liquid flows during dispense and also a period when liquid is not flowing. Fig. 3 also illustrates the corresponding time-response through the same sequence of gas flow rate through port 2, F2, and liquid flow rate through port 4, F4.

Dispense liquid flow F4 into the contactor is started at time T0 when both valves 5 and 6 are opened simultaneously, and is stopped at time T1 when valve 6 closes.

The gas pressure applied to the fibres l is maintained at P2 at all times. This pressure determines the maximum amount of gas which can be dissolved in the liquid. As will be ned below, the res P2 and P4 are equal prior to the start of each dispense. At such time the liquid contained within 1 will therefore usually be saturated with the dissolved gas. in the interval from T0 to T1, the pressure P4 of liquid delivered by source 9 and applied to contactor l is advantageously arranged to be greater than P2 so that during 2012/000804 each dispense the previously saturated liquid in l is subject to sub~saturation condition as it flows out through port 4. This eliminates the possibility of gas bubbles forming within tor 1 and, together with the action of restrictor 51, reduces the tendency of bubbles g between port 4 and the dispense outlet valve 5.

As usly explained, prior to the start of each dispense all liquid contained within tor 1 will already be saturated by dissolved gas. Flow of gas, as shown by F2, into port 2 will only start again at T0, its rate of flow reaching a maximum value when all the saturated liquid which was previously held in contactor 1 has been diSplaced out through port 4.

During se, when liquid flows through contactor 1, dissolved gas concentration in the liquid increases as it moves fiom inlet 3 to outlet 4. For given process conditions, the dissolved concentration at outlet 4 will be determined by the internal structure of contactor 1 and the time taken for liquid to pass through it. Well— designed contactors will in practice e at least 90% saturation level calculated for the process temperature and applied pressure P2 of gas.

Valve 6 closes at time T1 and valve 5 closes at time T2 which is a pre-set interval , after T1. Afier T1 liquid source 9 is no longer in communication with the contactor 1, that liquid pressure P4 rapidly decays to below P2 at time T1.

After initially reducing, the liquid re then increases alter T2 until all liquid within contactor l is ted with dissolved gas, according to the effect we have earlier discovered whereby carbonation of liquid mixes causes a small ion.

If the optimum interval TZ—Tl is used, the volume of liquid released in this interval is equal. to the characterist expansion volume for the contactor, and the final liquid pressure which develops in contactor 1 after time T2 will be equal to the constant gas pressure applied to contactor 1. For a system with an efficient contactor containing 200ml of liquid, carbonating to 10 grams per litre and dispensing at a flow rate of ll nil/second, the Optimum interval is 0.07 seconds. For the same carbonation level and contactor efficiency, the Optimum interval T2.-T1 will be proportional to the liquid capacity ofthe contactor and inversely proportional to the dispense flow rate.

PCT/G32012/000804 The interval TZ-Tl, determined by control unit 10, does not, however, need to be set accurately provided that it set no lower than the optimum value.

U! If al T2-T1 is less than optimum, the final liquid pressure after T2 will be higher than the gas pressure and this condition will not t the fibres in contactor I from flooding during the long and repeated standby s following each dispense.

If the set interval TZ-Tl is greater than the optimum, the final liquid re will not fall below the applied gas pressure because of gas permeation through fibres into the liquid side of contactor 1. The pressures on the liquid side and the gas side of the fibres will thus y equalise.

Even if interval T2-Tl is much longer than optimum, gas permeation will ue for a longer time afier T2, forming a gas void in the liquid side of contactor 1.

During the next dispense, when fresh rbonated liquid flows into the al contactor 1 at the higher pressure P4, the gas in such void is completely dissolved and the outlet liquid from the contactor remains bubble-free during dispense.

The control action bed above advantageously allows contactor l to be operated with liquid pressure P4 higher than gas pressure P2 only during dispense events.

The duration of each such event is typically of the order of 10 to 30 seconds. It has previously been established that an excess liquid pressure of 0.05MPa can safely be used for such brief times in contactors as described in US 5,565,149.

At all other times the pressures of liquid and gas within the contactor are held equal. The advantages are that the contactor’s fibres will not become flooded in operation, and also that the diSpensed liquid will retain higher carbonation since less gas bubbles can form between port 4 and valve 5.

The schematic arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2 is but one arrangement for achieving the required delay between closure of inlet valve 6 and outlet valve 5. These valves may in practice be actuated by electric, pneumatic or hydraulic means.

PCT/GBZOIZ/OOOSM An alternative embodiment is illustrated schematically in Fig.4, in which the same reference numerals are used for like parts in the embodiment of Fig. 2. in this ment a dispense tap 53 is opened using a manual actuator 54. The pressurised liquid source 9 comprises a pump 92 coupled to a supply 91 of the liquid. Pump 92 is selected so that when valves 6 and 53 are open it operates and delivers the required rate of flow of liquid through contactor 1. During such flow, the liquid pressure at port 3 is advantageously arranged to be higher than the pressure of carbon dioxide applied to port 2 of the contactor.

When valve 6 closes, pump 92 stops tically and the liquid pressure at the contactor will be higherthan when liquid is being dispensed from the .

A pressure switch 52 is hydraulically coupled between flow restriction 51 and ly operated dispense tap 53, and communicates electrically with a control unit 93.

Switch 52 is adjusted so that when tap 53 is open the switch 52 is in its low re electrical state, and when valve 53 is closed the switch 52 is in its high pressure electrical state.

When valve 53 is opened to commence dispense, the electrical state of switch 52 changes to its low pressure condition and the action of control unit 93 immediately opens valve 6 and optionally also opens valve 5. In this arrangement, liquid will flows both through tap 53 and also through valve 5 bypassing tap 53. However, a flow restrictor 55 connected between port 4 and valve 5 s flow through valve 5 so that it is very small compared to the flow through tap 53. Pump 92 automatically starts and maintains flow of liquid into port 3 of contactor 1 at a pressure which is greater than the pressure of gas applied to port 2.

When tap 53 is closed, the pressure of liquid at switch 52 increases and causes the electrical state of switch 52 to change. The action of control unit 93 is then to close valve 3O 6 at the same t and to keep open valve 5 for a r pro-determined time sufficient to allow release of the characteristic liquid expansion volume for the tor.

In a second version of this arrangement, the system is designed so that valve 5 is not. opened simultaneously with valve 6, but instead is opened after valve 6 is closed, the PCT/GBZOIZ/000804 duration for which valve 5 is opened being determined by control unit 93 so that the characteristic liquid'expansion volume for the contactor is released from the liquid circuit of the system downstream of tap 53 without causing pump 92 to re-start. As a result, when valve 5 closes, the pressure of liquid within the contactor 1 has been reduced by a fixed amount such that upon completion of the subsequent ion effect, as already described, the liquid and gas pressuies within contactor 1 will be equalised In Fig. 4, the point of connection of valve 5 with liquid on the liquid side of the membranes of contactor 1 is shown at the outlet port 4, but it will be apparent that its IO connection point with liquid on the liquid side of the contactor may be re between the outlet of valve 6 and the inlet of restrictor 51.

Fig. 5 illustrates, for the second version of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, and in a schematic manner without implying scale, the time-response of the gas pressure P2 within the fibres, and ofthe liquid re P4 surrounding the contactor’s fibres, through a sequence which es the period from T0 to T1 while liquid flows through port 4 of the tor during dispense, the period from T1 to T2 while the small extra volume of liquid is withdrawn by valve 5, and from T2 until the next dispense While liquid is not flowing. The Figure also illustrates the corresponding time~response h the same 2O ce of the gas flow rate F2 h port 2. the liquid flow rate F4 through port 4, and the liquid flow F5 through valve 5.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment, wherein the same reference numerals are employed as for like parts in the embodiment of Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the functions '25 and means of operation and control of all the parts and components are the same as described above for the second embodiment, except that valve 5 and flow restrictor 55 are now positioned so that the characteristic liquid expansion volume for the contactor is released into the suction side of pump 92 afier e ofvalve 6. It is to be noted that, in this embodiment, the characteristic liquid expansion volume released after closure of valve 6 is liquid that does not. contain the added gas, so that the connection point to valve should be upstream of the contactor l.

PCT/G32012/000804 The resulting changes of pressures in response to dispense flow and to operation of valves 5 and 6 through switch 52 and control unit 93 are the same as previously described for the second version of the second embodiment, and illustrated in Fig. 5.

II will be appreciated that the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 4 requires a manual dispense tap 53 modified to accept flow via valve 5 to its outlet, and that this arrangement results in a small volume being over—dispensed or being wasted. The third embodiment is thus to be preferred in circumstances where the diSpense tap 53 is not modified, and in circumstances where it would be undesirable to allow wastage of the small amount of liquid released by valve 5 after closure of valve 6 1 Turning now to the ments of Figs. 7 to 10, for y and because the details are not relevant to the present disclosure, details of features and components relating to temperature control ofthe liquid have been d from the circuit diagrams.

Gas port 2 of contactor 1 is connected to a gas source 101 via a pressure regulator 102 which is of the type lly known as a relieving regulator, which signifies that it will if necessary vent excess gas from its output side to maintain its control pressure.

Liquid inlet port 3 is connected to a liquid source 103 via solenoid-operated valve 104 2O and a pressure tor 105. Liquid outlet port 4 is connected to a solenoid valve 106 which here acts as the tap for dispensing the liquid.

The pressure of gas source 101 is arranged to be greater than the outlet pressure of regulator 105. The outlet pressure of tor 105 is advantageously ed to be at least 0.03 MPa greater than the outlet pressure of regulator 102, but for the type of fibre described in US Patent Numbers 5,565,149 and 7,104,531 it may be up to 0.1 MPa greater.

Solenoid valves 104 and 106 are of the type generally described as 2/2 valves, and they are normally . When energised they are caused to open to allow flow through them.

WO 61015 PCT/GBZOIZ/OOOSM A pressure equalising diaphragm chamber 107 is connected as shown between the liquid and gas supplies to contactor 1 as shown in Fig. 7 and descrinbed below with reference to Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 shows in a schematic cross-sectional viewa pressure equalising chamber 107 in which a flexible agm member 108 acts as a barrier between a first compartment 109 and a second compartment 110 within chamber 107. Fig. 8 shows the flexible diaphragm member 108 in the position when the volume of second compartment 110 is at its maximum and when the pressures in tments 109 and 110 are substantially equal. Chamber 107 is constructed so that movement of flexible diaphragm member 108 will change the volume of second tment 110 by at least the aforesaid characteristic volume defined by a (1). A spring 111 is optionally included in second compartment 110 to aid movement of flexible diaphragm member 108. Chamber 107 is provided with respective ports 112 and 113 ting into its two compartments.

As shown in Fig. 7, compartment 109 communicates via its port 112 with port 114 of a solenoid-operated 3~port valve 115. Compartment 110 communicates its port 113 with liquid inlet port 3 of contactor 1.

A second port 116 of valve 115 icates with gas inlet port 2 of contactor 1, and third port 117 of valve 115 communicates with the high-pressure side, namely the inlet port side, of pressure regulator 102.

Valve 115 is of the type generally known as a 3/2 valve. Port 114 is the common port which communicates internally only with port 116 when valve 115 is not energised.

When valve 115 is energised, port 114 is caused to communicate internally only with port 117.

When valves 104, 106 and 115 are not energised, the pressure applied at port 2 is equal to ssure in compartment 109 chamber 107. In this condition the action of flexible diaphragm member 108 ensures that contactor 1 experiences equal pressures both on the gas inside its hollow fibres and on the liquid outside its hollow fibres.

PCT/G32012/000804 When it is required to dispense carbonated liquid, a control switch 118 is activated manually, causing valves 104, 106 and 115 to be energised. Port 3 and compartment 110 now communicate with the outlet of pressure regulator 105, allowing liquid to start flowing into tor 1 and out of valve 106. At the same time Port 114 of valve 115 admits gas from source 101 into tment 109, and flexible member 108 moves to increase the volume of compartment 109 while reducing the volume artment 110.

During se, regulator 105 therefore maintains the pressure of liquid within the contactor 1 and in the tubing between port 4 and valve 106 at a pressure above the gas pressure applied to port 2. This condition, er with cooling means (not show) has the advantage that, until exiting valve 106, the liquid can be kept below saturation with respect to the dissolved carbon dioxide.

When the required volume of carbonated liquid has been dispensed, switch 118 is de-activated manually. At this instant, valves 104 and 106 close, isolating the liquid volume between them. At the same instant, valve 115 allows port 114 to communicate internally to port 116. Since pressure regulator 102 is a relieving regulator, the gas pressure in compartment 109 decays to the outlet re setting of regulator 102.

The flexible diaphragm member 108 acts to maintain equal res in compartments 109 and 110, therefore enabling the previously discussed expansion of liquid following dispense to be ted at constant pressure which, furthermore, is equal to the gas pressure applied to the contactor 1. ‘25 During the standby periods between dispense, the pressures of both liquid and gas within contactor are thus maintained in balance and there is no risk of flooding of the fibres, Fig. 9 shows a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 7. Like parts and ents are identified by the same reference numerals in the two Figures. In this embodiment, which is preferred when the pressure of the source 101 is relatively high, a further gas regulator 119 is used to set the pressure applied to port 117 of valve 115. The operation and function of all other parts are the same as bed with reference to Fig. 8.

WO 61015 PCT/G32012/000804 Fig. 10 shows a r variation in which like parts and components are fied by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 8 and 10. In this embodiment, the dispense valve 106 is opened and closed manually, and is not coupled to the control system.

Instead, a flow-detection unit 120 is connected at some point between the outlet of valve 104 and the inlet of valve 106 to detect when liquid is flowing in the system. In the illustrated arrangement, detector 120 is connected between tor 105, here on the outlet side of valve 104, and port 3. Alternatively, detector 120 could be fitted between port 4 and dispense valve 106.

The detector 120 es an electrical input to control switch 118 at the instant that dispense valve 106 is opened, maintains that electrical input while valve 106 remains open, and removes that input when valve 106 is closed at the end of dispense. In Figure the line connecting detector 120 to control switch 118 is drawn differently to show that switch 118 responds to the electrical. input from detector 120, whereas the outputs from switch 118 control the status of valves 104 and 115.

The ion and fimction of all other parts in this embodiment are the same as for the embodiment of Fig. 7.

It has long been the desire, particularly in the beer brewing industry, to supply beverages in an essentially unpressurised -box or polypin format for carbonation at the point of dispense. Heretofore, shortcomings in the carbonation systems employed have prevented the widespread commercial adoption of this obviously advantageous ative to the traditional cask or keg format.

While membrane carbonators of the kind disclosed in, US 5565149 were know to be reliable and to be capable of providing the desired carbonation, unlike some rival arrangements that rely upon direct injection of gaseous carbon dioxide into unpressurised or previously degassed beer and passage of both beer and gas together through a bulk granulate quartz material with a large contact surface area, a cy for degradation of the membrane carbonator over time by flooding with liquid in the intervals between individual dispenses, has previously prevented widespread commercialisation. The present disclosure shows how this drawback of membrane carbonators may be ntially overcome. Balancing gas pressure and liquid re during the systems’ PCT/GBZOIZ/OOOSM standby periods along the lines described herein can substantially protect the membranes from flooding.

A primary application for embodiments of systems in accordance with the present teachings is incorporation into a bag—in-box beverage dispensing system. It will readily be appreciated that a membrane carbonator together with the associated ls may be incorporated into each bag-in-box unit, or may be supplied at the point of dispense for coupling to a refill bag-in-box beverage supply.

It will also be appreciated that the teachings of this disclosure may be applied to diverse beverages including beer, soda water, and wine. In the case of wine, embodiments of system in accordance with the present teachings may be employed to provide at the point of dispense from a still wine, a passable substitute for a sparkling wine, as for example‘glasses of a passable substitute for a blanc de blanc from bulk still Chardonnay wine.

By using s oxide in place of carbon dioxide, dairy- or dairy tute- based ts foamed at the point of dispense may be produced using embodiments of systems in accordance with the ngs of this disclosure. The characteristic liquid expansion volume ated using a (1) will employ the saturation level of nitrous oxide in place ofthat of carbon dioxide in this case.

Z012/000804

Claims (30)

Claims

1. ' A method for producing or dispensing liquid products in which a ne contactor employing a plurality of gas-permeable hollow fibres, the contactor having a gas port communicating with the interior of the fibres and input and output ports for liquid communicating with space within the contactor surrounding the fibres, is to dissolve a gas comprising carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide in a , the method comprising the steps of: supplying the said gas at a controlled pressure to the gas port; IO ing a liquid at a higher pressure than the gas to the input port for liquid from a supply of such liquid via a first valve having a first valve inlet port communicating with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port communicating with the inlet port for liquid; and dispensing liquid with said gas dissolved therein from the output port for liquid 15 via a dispense tap to ambient, the dispensing liquid step including a start dispense step in which dispensing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped, the first valve being opened with said dispensing tap in said start dispense step, and being closed in said stop dispense step; and relieving pressure buildup in liquid in communication with the said space after 2O closure of the first valve and while maintaining the first valve closed.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the step of relieving re build-up comprises withdrawing at least a predetermined volume of liquid from an otherwise closed volume of liquid in ication with the said space.

3. . A method according to Claim 2, wherein said predetermined volume comprises characteristic volume corresponding to the expansion of liquid that would otherwise occur in said space absent said withdrawing step due to continuing dissolving of the gas in liquid in said space after ng diSpense.

4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the characteristic volume is determined by the formula (1) below: Av=K.Vc.C.(l-0.5n) r....(1) where K = a nt specific to the particular gas, 7.2 x 10'4 when the gas is carbon dioxide Av = characteristic volume, in millilitres Vc = liquid volume of contactor, in millilitres C = saturation level of the gas in the liquid, in grams per litre n = efficiency of contactor at continuous flow condition.

5. A method according to Claim 1, n the step of ing pressure up comprises allowing a closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space to 10 expand by at least a characteristic volume in an expansion step.

6. A method according to Claim 5, wherein the characteristic volume is determined by the a (1) below: Av = K.VC.C.(l-0.5n) .......(...l) 15 where K = a constant specific to the ular gas, 7.2 x 10‘4 when the gas is carbon dioxide Av = characteristic volume, in millilitres Vc = liquid volume of contactor, in millilitres 20 C = saturation level of the gas in the liquid, in grams per litre n 2 efficiency of contactor at continuous flow condition.

7; A method according Claim 1, wherein the withdrawing step is performed by closing the dispense tap at least a pre—determined interval corresponding to said 25 predetermined volume after closure of the first valve.

8. A method according to Claim 1, wherein a second valve having a second valve input port and a second valve output port, and coupled to receive liquid from said space at said second valve input port, is opened in the al from and including one of opening 3O of the first valve and closure of the first valve and closed a pre-determined interval corresponding to said predetermined volume after closure of the first valve to pass liquid from said second valve output port to a position permanently at a pressure below that of said space.

9. A method according to Claim 8, wherein the start dispense step comprises opening the first and second valves and the dispense tap at the same time.

10. A method according to Claim 8, wherein the second valve is opened when the first valve closes.

11. A method according to Claim 8, wherein the second valve outlet port communicates with the outlet of the dispense tap. 10

12. A method according to Claim 8, wherein the step of supplying a liquid at a higher pressure than the gas comprises delivering liquid from a supply thereof at a pressure lower than said higher pressure by a pump having a suction side and a delivery side, the suction side being coupled to said supply and the delivery side being coupled to the inlet port for liquid; and n the second valve outlet port communicates with one of said 15 suction side and said supply.

13. A method according to Claim 5, wherein said expansion step comprises coupling a diaphragm chamber having respective compartments on either side of a flexible diaphragm between liquid in ication with the said space and gas at the gas port.

14. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the liquid comprises a beverage supplied substantially at ambient pressure in a -box container, the step of supplying a liquid at a higher pressure than the gas sing delivering liquid from the said container by a pump having a suction side and a delivery side, the n side being coupled to said 25 container and the delivery side being coupled to the inlet port for .

15. Apparatus for adding a gas comprising carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide to a liquid during dispense thereof from a supply of said ; the apparatus comprising: a membrane contactor having a contactor housing with a plurality of gas- 30 permeable hollow fibres mounted therein, the contactor housing having a gas port communicating with the or of the fibres and adapted to receive said gas at a controlled re thereat, and input and output ports for liquid communicating with space within the contactor housing surrounding the fibres; a first valve having a first valve inlet port arranged for communication with the supply of liquid and a first valve outlet port icating with the inlet pm“: for liquid and arranged for supply of said liquid to the inlet port for liquid at a higher pressure than said controlled gas re; a dispense tap coupled to the output port for liquid and adapted to dispense liquid to ambient: and a control system coupled to monitor opening and closing of the first valve and the dispense tap, whereby to control a start dispense step in which dispensing commences and a stop dispense step in which dispensing is stopped, the control system being 10 arranged to open the first valve with said dispensing tap in said start dispense step, and being arranged to close said first valve in said stop dispense step, and to relieve pressure build-up in liquid in communication with the said space after closure of the first valve and while maintaining the first valve closed. 15

16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the control system is ed to relieve pressure up in liquid in communication with the said space by causing at least a predetermined volume of liquid to be withdrawn from an otherwise closed volume of liquid in communication with the said space. 20

17. Apparatus ing to Claim 16, wherein said predetermined volume comprises a characteristic volume corresponding to the expansion of liquid that would otherwise occur in said space absent said withdrawal of said predetermined volume due to continuing dissolving of the gas in liquid in said space after ng dispense. 25

18. Apparatus according to Claim 17, wherein the characteristic volume is ined by the formula (1) below: AV = K.VC.C.(l—0.5n) .............(l) where K = a constant specific to the particular gas, 7.2 x 10'4 when the gas is carbon 30 dioxide Av = characteristic volume, in millilitres VC = liquid volume of tor, in millilitres C = saturation level of the gas in the liquid, in grams per litre n = ncy of contactor at continuous flow condition.

19. Apparatus according to Claim 15, n the control system is arranged'to e pressure build-up in liquid in communication with the said space by ng a closed volume of liquid in ication with the said space to expand by at least a characteristic volume.

20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, wherein the characteristic volume is determined by the formula (1) below: Av = K.VC.C.(1-0.5n) .............(l) where 10 K = a constant specific to the particular gas, 7.2 x 10'4 when the gas is carbon dioxide Av = teristic volume, in millilitres Vc = liquid volume of contactor, in millilitres C = saturation level of the gas in the liquid, in grams per litre 15 n = efficiency of contactor at continuous flow condition.

21. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the control system is adapted to close the dispense tap at least a pre-determined interval corresponding to said predetermined volume after closure of the first valve.

22. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the control system includes a second valve having a second valve input port and a second valve output port, and coupled to receive liquid from said space at said second valve input port, the second valve being controlled to open in the interval from and including one of opening of the first valve and 25 closure of the first valve and being controlled to close a pre-determined interval corresponding to said predetermined volume after closure of the first valve, the second valve output port being coupled to a position arranged in use to be permanently at a pressure below that of said space. 30

23. Apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the control system is d to open the first and second valves and the dispense tap at the same time.

24. tus according to Claim 22, wherein the control system is adapted to open the second valve when the first valve closes.

25; Apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the second valve outlet port communicates with the outlet of the dispense tap.

26. Apparatus according to Claim 22, further sing a pump having a suction side and a delivery side, the delivery side being coupled to the first valve inlet port for ring liquid at said higher pressure, and the suction side being ed for communication with a supply of the liquid at a pressure lower than said higher pressure; and wherein the second valve outlet port icates with one of said suction side and said supply.

27. Apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein the liquid comprises a beverage supplied substantially at ambient pressure in a bag-in-box container, and wherein a pump having a suction side and a delivery side is coupled between the container and the first valve, the delivery side being coupled to the first valve inlet port for delivering liquid at 15 said higher re, and the suction side being coupled to said container.

28. Apparatus according to Claim 18, r comprising a diaphragm chamber having respective compartments on either side of a flexible diaphragm, one said compartment being permanently in communication with liquid in the said space, and the 20 other said compartment being arranged to communicate with gas at the gas port to allow said closed volume of liquid to expand.

29. tus according to Claim 28, wherein the other said compartment is coupled to the common port of a three port valve; said three port valve having two further ports, 25 one coupled to receive said gas from a source thereof, and the other coupled to said gas port, and having a first state in which said common port communicates only with said one port, and a second state in which said common port communicates only with said other port. 30

30. A method according to Claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the