WO2020127612A1

WO2020127612A1 - Method and apparatus for producing potable mineralized water

Info

Publication number: WO2020127612A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/086133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wiebe WAGEMANNS; Faebian BASTIMAN; Fernando Perego FERNANDES; Stefanie Sand; Moritz WALDSTEIN-WARTENBERG
Original assignee: Mittemitte Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2019-12-18
Publication date: 2020-06-25

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing potable mineralized water and the use of a cartridge containing a mineral composition. A method for producing potable mineralized water (24) comprises providing a liquid (23) to be treated to an apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) and adding a CO2 precursor to said liquid (23). It comprises triggering at least a part of said CO2 precursor to release CO2, providing dissolved CO2 in said liquid (23), wherein said CO2 release is realized in said apparatus (10). Furthermore, said method comprises contacting at least parts of said liquid (23) with a mineral composition such that said mineral composition at least partly dissolves into said liquid (23), providing potable mineralized water (24).

Description

Method and Apparatus for Producing Potable Mineralized Water

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing potable mineralized water and the use of a cartridge containing a mineral composition.

In order to provide potable water after a distillation or purification step minerals may be added to the distilled or purified water. It is for example known to bring purified water in contact with mineral stones or granules in order to dissolve said minerals in said water. For example, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate may be used to enrich said water with minerals.

However, minerals have a very low solubility in water which makes the process slow and ineffective. It is known to increase the solubility by adding acids such as sulfuric acid to the purified or distilled water. This includes some drawbacks, including handling of potentially dangerous and/or expensive chemicals and an undesired influence on the taste due to anions remaining in the water.

Another known process involves C02 injection to the water in order to form carbonic acid which increases the solubility of minerals. In addition, this advantageously adds bicarbonate ions (HCOT) which are also desired. However, the addition of C02 involves complicated technology and costly transportation of C02 gas.

Such a process is for example known from EP 1 292 543 B1 , in which a process for manufacturing drinking water is disclosed. Carbon dioxide is dissolved in a slightly mineralized potable water, solid calcium carbonate is added to said water and a solution comprising calcium sulphate and/or calcium chloride is added to said water. The carbon dioxide increases the solubility of said water such that a drinking water with high levels of dissolved calcium can be obtained. Said calcium is present in a bicarbonate form.

US 804 35 09 B2 describes devices and methods for water purification. A mineral based water flavour enhancer comprises a condenser and a mineral chamber with at least one mineral which is present in such a quantity and particle size that passing water can be enriched such that its taste is similar to a desired mineral water. This document further describes a method of distilling water, enriching it with biotite and magnetite and adding carbon dioxide gas in order to partially incorporate it into the product water.

WO 2017 102 913 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for providing re-mineralized water. The method comprises purifying feedwater, injecting carbon dioxide into said purified feedwater and passing the carbon-dioxide-enriched water through a re-mineralizer. Said re mineralizer comprises dolomite such that the water can be enriched in Calcium and Magnesium. Carbon dioxide is injected with a carbon dioxide injector which is suitable to inject carbon dioxide into a flow of purified demineralized water.

Similarly, US 3 855 914 describes a method and an apparatus of producing mineral water. The apparatus comprises means for supplying water, means for supplying carbonic acid gas and mixing said gas to said water in order to carbonate the water. It further comprises means for mixing the carbonated water with a mineral component in order to provide mineral water. Said carbonic acid gas may be supplied in a pressurized manner and said apparatus may comprise means for reducing the pressure of the carbonic acid gas.

WO 2017 089 988 A discloses a device for treating water condensed from water vapor from atmospheric air. The device comprises means for adding minerals to said condensed water by contacting said condensed water with a remineralisation reactor with alkaline earth metal rock. Amongst others, said means for adding minerals comprise means for calculating a carbon dioxide quantity to be injected into said water for enabling dissolution of said rock into said water for providing a predetermined mineral quantity to said water. They further comprise injection means for injecting the calculated carbon dioxide quantity into said water.

US 5 609 838 A describes a process for producing sodium carbonate and other sodium- based chemicals from an aqueous solution. A method for reducing the bicarbonate content of an aqueous solution comprises contacting said aqueous solution with steam of a

temperature below 90°C such that carbon dioxide leaves the solution and a part of the bicarbonate is converted to carbonate.

The problem to be solved is to provide a method and an apparatus for easily and cost- effectively producing potable mineralized water while overcoming the mentioned

disadvantages.

The problem is solved by the method for producing potable mineralized water as claimed in claim 1 and the apparatus for producing potable mineralized water as claimed in claim 8. Embodiments of the method are given in dependent claims 2-7 and embodiments of the apparatus are given in dependent claims 9-14. In addition, a use of a cartridge containing a mineral composition is provided in claim 15.

A first aspect of the invention is a method for producing potable mineralized water. The method comprises providing a liquid to be treated to an apparatus for producing potable mineralized water and adding a C02 precursor to said liquid. It comprises triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02, providing dissolved C02 in said liquid, wherein said C02 release is realized in said apparatus. The method furthermore comprises contacting at least parts of said liquid with a mineral composition such that said mineral composition at least partly dissolves into said liquid, providing potable mineralized water. An apparatus for producing potable mineralized water is an apparatus which is suitable for removing at least one substance from a liquid to be treated and/or for adding at least one substance to a liquid to be treated in order to produce potable mineralized water.

In particular, said apparatus comprises an input section for providing a liquid to be treated, a precursor supply means for adding said C02 precursor to said liquid, a triggering section for triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02 and/or a mineralizer for producing potable mineralized water. It may be an apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention.

Potable mineralized water is water which is drinkable by human beings and comprises at least one mineral. In particular, it meets the respective drinking water standards.

A mineral composition is a liquid and/or solid substance or mixture of substances, in particular a solid, comprising at least one mineral. A mineral, also referred to as dietary mineral, is a chemical element required as an essential nutrient by organisms to perform functions necessary for life. Typically, said chemical element is present in a chemically bound manner, in particular as salt. In particular, limestone (calcium carbonate CaC03) and/or dolomite (calcium/magnesium carbonate, (Mg,Ca)(C03)2) can be used. Said mineral composition may comprise calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate.

A C02 precursor is a substance which is suitable to release C02 under specific conditions.

In particular, it is a substance which is suitable to release C02 by a chemical reaction. It may particularly be in a solid and/or liquid form. It may be water-soluble in the range of 1 g/L to 2000 g/L, in particular 10 g/L to 500 g/L, more particularly 50 g/L to 200 g/L. Typically, said C02 precursor does not comprise molecular or dissolved C02.

Adding said C02 precursor may be realized by discontinuously adding amounts of said C02 precursor to a flow of said liquid.

Depending on the nature of the C02 precursor, triggering the C02 precursor to release C02 may be realized by subjecting said C02 precursor - which may be partly or completely dissolved in said liquid - to a specific boundary condition and/or changing a boundary condition. This boundary condition may e.g. be a specific temperature, specific light conditions, an electrical current, the presence of a catalyst and/or specific chemical conditions such as a specific pH value or range and/or the presence or absence of specific substances.

In particular, said triggering leads to an at least partial decarboxylation of said C02 precursor. Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction in which a carboxyl group is removed from a molecule and C02 is released. The C02 precursor may comprise any substance suitable to be decarboxylated. Any triggering of the decarboxylation process is possible. Possible processes for triggering are, for example, thermal decarboxylation or heat-induced decarboxylation, photochemical or light-induced decarboxylation or electrochemical decarboxylation.

In particular, triggering the C02 precursor to release C02 is realized by heating at least parts of said C02 precursor such that said C02 precursor at least partially thermally decomposes, releasing C02. This may be realized by heating at least parts of said liquid comprising the C02 precursor.

Adding a C02 precursor may refer to adding a solid and/or liquid to said liquid. It may refer to dosing a defined volume, mass, volume flow and/or mass flow of said C02 precursor into a portion or a flow of said liquid. Typically, a flow of said liquid may be realized through a volume containing said C02 precursor. In particular, the method comprises the step of at least partially dissolving said C02 precursor into said liquid. Dosing in the context of the invention refers to adding a specified dose, quantity, volume, mass or amount of a substance or a mixture of substances to a liquid.

Releasing C02 refers to producing or setting free molecular and/or dissolved C02. In particular, the method comprises at least partly dissolving said C02 into said liquid. Partial or complete dissolution of said C02 into said liquid may occur immediately after said C02 release as at least parts of the released C02 may directly dissolve into said water. Thus, dissolving does not necessarily have to be performed as a separate step. However, a separate dissolving step may be realized, e.g. in order to dissolve C02 which does not dissolve in said liquid immediately after its release.

A liquid to be treated is a liquid which is to be treated for producing potable mineralized water, namely by removing at least one substance and/or by adding at least one substance.

It is in particular water such as tap water or purified water such as distilled water. Said treatment may be or comprise the addition of the C02 precursor, the triggering of said C02 precursor to release C02 and/or a purification or distillation step.

Dissolved C02 in the liquid increases the solubility of minerals in said liquid and, thus, the dissolution of carbonate and/or bicarbonate salts into the liquid. Dissolving C02 into water leads to a shift in the chemical equilibrium of C02 and carbonic acid and, thus, to a better solubility of minerals. In particular, the pH value of said liquid decreases through the dissolution of C02.

Contacting said liquid with said mineral composition may be realized by adding said mineral composition, which may comprise minerals in a dissolved form, to said liquid, in particular by dosing a defined volume, mass, volume flow and/or mass flow of said mineral composition into a portion or flow of said liquid. In particular, contacting said liquid with said mineral composition is performed after addition of said C02 precursor and/or after triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02. Alternatively, the steps addition and/or triggering and contacting said liquid with said mineral composition may be combined and/or realized simultaneously during at least one time period.

The steps of providing a liquid to be treated, adding said C02 precursor, triggering said C02 precursor and/or contacting said liquid are in particular realized as continuous flow-through process. For example, a flow of said liquid may be provided, said C02 precursor may be added to said flow, said C02 precursor in a flow is triggered to release C02 and/or said liquid flow may be brought into contact with said mineral composition.

In particular, adding said C02 precursor is realized in said apparatus. In particular, triggering said C02 precursor to release C02 is realized in said apparatus. In particular, contacting said liquid with said mineral composition is realized in said apparatus. In particular, said potable mineralized water is dispensed from said apparatus.

It becomes apparent that the method according to the invention provides a particularly easy and cost-effective mineralization of a liquid in order to produce potable mineralized water. It eliminates the need for gaseous C02 or potentially dangerous and/or expensive acids. Due to the easily controllable triggering step, the process can be easily adjusted and/or adapted to the respective needs and requirements of each application.

In one embodiment, contacting said liquid with said mineral composition is performed by realizing a flow of said liquid through at least one solid comprising said mineral composition. Said solid may be present in a particulate form e.g. as granules or powder and/or in the form of at least one solid body which may also be referred to as stone. It may comprise calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate. This leads to a particularly easy mineralization of said liquid.

Said solid may be contained in a cartridge. A cartridge in the context of the invention means a receptacle for the arrangement of a substance, in particular said solid, suitable to be passed through by a liquid in order to amend the composition of said liquid by means of said substance. It may be essentially or completely closed. It typically comprises an inflow section for the liquid to enter the cartridge and an outflow section for the enriched liquid to exit the cartridge. Thus, an easily replaceable solution for the long-term water enrichment is provided.

In a further embodiment, triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02 is realized by heating at least a part of said C02 precursor in order to initiate thermal decomposition of at least a part of said C02 precursor. In this embodiment, the thermal decomposition of said C02 precursor leads to the release of C02. It may lead to the release of C02 in a molecular and/or dissolved form. In particular, heating at least a part of said C02 precursor is realized by heating at least a part of said liquid comprising said C02 precursor. This is in particular realized in said apparatus, in particular in a heating section of said apparatus. In particular, heating at least a part of said C02 precursor leads to thermal decomposition of said part of said C02 precursor.

This embodiment enables triggering said C02 precursor through heating, being a technique which is safe, easy and hardly susceptible to errors.

In a further embodiment, said method comprises purifying and/or demineralizing at least parts of said liquid in order to remove at least one component from said liquid.

A component is a liquid, particulate, gaseous and/or dissolved substance which is present in said liquid. Said purifying and/or demineralizing is in particular performed prior to enriching said liquid with said mineral composition such that undesired compounds can be removed before enriching said liquid or producing said potable mineralized water. In particular, said liquid is purified and/or demineralized. In particular, said purifying and/or demineralizing is realized as continuous flow-through process.

Said purifying and/or demineralizing is in particular performed after triggering said C02 precursor to release C02. Nonetheless, said purifying and/or demineralizing may also be performed prior to adding said C02 precursor to said liquid and/or prior to triggering said C02 precursor to release C02 such that said C02 precursor is added to purified and/or demineralized liquid and/or said triggering is performed in purified and/or demineralized liquid.

Said purifying and/or demineralizing may comprise distillation or filtration such as reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration. It is in realized in such a way that C02 is enabled to pass the purifying and/or demineralizing process. It is in particular realized such that C02 is kept within the apparatus or, in other words, that C02 escape into the environment is prevented. Thus, typically, said purifying and/or demineralizing is realized in a closed purifying and/or demineralizing unit such as a distillation unit. This embodiment advantageously leads to a desired drinking water quality and/or enables the production of potable mineralized water independently of the raw water quality or even from contaminated liquids.

In one embodiment, a residual is produced during the release of C02. The component which is removed from said liquid during purifying and/or demineralizing said liquid comprises at least parts of said residual.

In other words, said purifying and/or demineralizing may be performed in order to at least partly remove at least one residual of the C02 precursor. This may for example comprise sodium carbonate when sodium bicarbonate is used as C02 precursor. In particular, said purifying and/or demineralizing of said liquid is realized in said apparatus. This embodiment advantageously enables the production of residue-free potable mineralized water.

In a further embodiment, said purifying and/or demineralizing comprises distilling at least parts of said liquid, wherein said C02 precursor is added to said liquid prior to and/or during said distillation process such that heat supplied to said liquid for evaporating it in the distillation process triggers the C02 precursor to release C02.

In particular, said liquid is distilled. In this embodiment, C02 is released during the distillation process. The heat which has to be produced in order to evaporate said liquid for distillation is advantageously used to trigger said C02 precursor to release C02. Said C02 precursor is to be chosen such that it can be triggered to release C02 by heat.

The released C02 may at least partly dissolve in said liquid directly after release and/or subsequently in a closed apparatus part. In particular, said C02 flows from a heating or evaporation section of a distillation unit of said apparatus to a condensation section of said distillation unit as a gas. Said liquid may be filtered between the addition of said C02 precursor and the triggering such that undissolved parts of said C02 precursor do not enter the distillation unit. Said liquid may be filtered between the triggering and the contacting with said mineral composition such that undissolved parts of said C02 precursor do not enter the mineralizer.

This embodiment leads to the advantage that residue-free potable water can be produced from any raw water source due to the complete elimination of compounds during distillation and that an energy-saving process is provided.

In a further embodiment, said liquid is cooled during and/or after the release of C02, in particular to a temperature between 10°C and 80°C, more particularly between 20°C and 60°C and for example between 30°C and 40°C.

Typically, said liquid is cooled to a temperature below 40°C and more particularly below 30°C. In particular, said liquid is cooled after the release of C02. It is typically cooled prior to contacting said liquid with said mineral composition.

Cooling is realized in particular in order to increase the solubility of C02 in said liquid. In addition, it is desired to dispense said potable mineralized water in a convenient temperature from said apparatus.

This embodiment leads to the advantage that more C02 is dissolved into said liquid and, thus, mineralization can be realized in a more effective way. Tests have shown that cooling to the claimed temperatures leads to an increased and more effective mineralization compared to contacting the uncooled liquid with said mineral composition. In particular, cooling said liquid is realized in said apparatus, e.g. in a cooling section of said apparatus. In case the liquid is distilled, said cooling may be performed in addition to and after a heat reduction of said liquid performed for condensation during the distillation process.

In a further embodiment, said C02 precursor comprises a bicarbonate salt suitable to release C02 when heated, in particular sodium bicarbonate and/or potassium bicarbonate.

Heating leads to thermal decomposition of said bicarbonate salt and, thus, to C02 release. This is particularly advantageous as bicarbonate salts are inexpensive and readily available in a foodgrade quality.

A second aspect of the invention is an apparatus for producing potable mineralized water with the method according to the invention. The apparatus comprises an input section for providing a liquid to be treated and a precursor supply means for adding a C02 precursor to said liquid. It further comprises a triggering section for triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02, providing dissolved C02 in said liquid. Said triggering section is in particular suitable to trigger said C02 precursor by heating said C02 precursor and/or by changing at least one boundary condition such as light, pH, electrical current and/or the presence or absence of at least one substance. It furthermore comprises a mineralizer for producing potable mineralized water. Said mineralizer can be realized as a mineralization section for at least partly dissolving a mineral composition into said liquid and/or as a cartridge connector for realizing a first flow connection from said apparatus to a cartridge containing said mineral composition for contacting at least parts of said liquid with at least parts of said mineral composition such that said mineral composition at least partly dissolves into said liquid.

In particular, said input section is suitable for providing said liquid to said precursor supply means. It may be configured for providing a flow of said liquid.

Said precursor supply means may be configured for adding said C02 precursor to a portion and/or flow of said liquid. Supply in this context refers to addition of said C02 precursor to said liquid in any manner. Said precursor supply means can be a precursor dosing unit for dosing a defined volume, mass, volume flow and/or mass flow of said C02 precursor into a portion or a flow said liquid. In a simple configuration, it can be realized as a liquid container or flow element with a supply opening for adding said C02 precursor to said liquid, wherein said dosing may be realized manually, if necessary. In particular, it is configured for adding and/or dosing said C02 precursor as a powder. Said precursor supply means is in particular arranged downstream of said input section and/or upstream of said triggering section.

Said triggering section may be configured for heating a portion and/or flow of said liquid comprising said C02 precursor. Said triggering section is in particular arranged downstream of said precursor supply means and/or upstream of said mineralizer. In particular, said triggering section is arranged and configured such that said C02 release can be realized in said triggering section within said apparatus.

In particular, said triggering section is suitable to trigger at least a part of said C02 precursor to decarboxylate. Any triggering of the decarboxylation process is possible. Thus, the triggering section may be configured for triggering thermal decarboxylation or heat-induced decarboxylation, photochemical or light-induced decarboxylation and/or electrochemical decarboxylation.

Said mineralizer may be configured for at least partly dissolving said mineral composition into a portion and/or flow of said liquid and/or for producing a portion and/or flow of potable mineralized water. Said mineralizer is in particular arranged downstream of said triggering section and/or upstream of an output section for dispensing said potable mineralized water, if present.

Said mineralization section may comprise a mineral dosing means for dosing a defined volume, mass, volume flow and/or mass flow of said mineral into said liquid.

In particular, said cartridge connector comprises a first conduit element for realizing said first flow connection. It may be configured for realizing a second flow connection from said cartridge to said apparatus for feeding a flow of said potable mineralized water to said apparatus. It may comprise a second conduit element for realizing said second flow connection. Each conduit element may be configured for sealingly contacting a respective inflow section or outflow section of the cartridge, respectively. At least one seal for realizing the sealing effect may be arranged on said cartridge connector and/or said cartridge.

In particular, said cartridge connector is configured for feeding a portion and/or flow of said liquid comprising C02 into said cartridge in order to realize said contact between said mineral composition and said liquid.

Said mineralizer may comprise said cartridge which is connected or connectable to said cartridge connector. In particular, said apparatus furthermore comprises an output section for dispensing said potable mineralized water.

The cartridge may comprise an identification means which is machine-readable in a contactless way by an identification reader of a water enrichment system, in particular a radio-frequency identification tag, for the provision of at least one property of said cartridge, in particular in order to identify a type of cartridge and/or an individual cartridge. Said identification means may contain information about a target mineralisation level and/or composition for which the ingredients of the cartridge may have been selected and/or optimised. The apparatus may comprise a controlling device for controlling at least one parameter or process of the method using said information. In other words, said information may be used as input for controlling said method.

Said apparatus may comprise an identification reader, in particular a radio-frequency identification reader, e. g. suitable for near field communication, for the contactless machine reading of said identification means in order to detect the presence of a cartridge and/or to read at least one property provided by an identification means of said cartridge, in particular in order to identify a type of cartridge and/or an individual cartridge. Said identification reader is typically arranged such that said detection and/or reading can be realized when the cartridge is connected with the cartridge connector.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus may comprise an identification writer, e.g. as part of said identification reader, which is suitable to add and/or modify information stored on said identification means. For example, information about the cartridge status and/or history may be written on said identification means, e.g. information about the amount of minerals used or the usage time or volume passed through the cartridge.

In one embodiment, said cartridge comprises at least one adsorbent, in particular activated carbon, for adsorptive removal of compounds, in particular of dissolved organic compounds and/or volatile organic compounds. During distillation in a closed system, said organic compounds may be carried over from an evaporation section to a condensation section. To remove said compounds from the liquid and/or the potable mineralized water said adsorbent is used.

Typically, the apparatus according to the invention is suitable for domestic use. It may be constructed as a domestic device. It may be suitable to produce more than 5 liters potable mineralized water per day, in particular between 12 and 30 liters per day. The distillation unit may be designed to produce 0.1 liter per hour to 2 liters per hour, in particular 0.3 liters per hour to 1 liter per hour. The apparatus may be able to provide at least one liter potable mineralized water within two minutes.

In one embodiment, the triggering section is realized as heating section for heating at least parts of said liquid comprising said C02 precursor.

In particular, said heating section is suitable for heating a flow of said liquid. Said heating of at least parts of said liquid comprising said C02 precursor is realized in order to trigger said C02 precursor to release C02. Typically, said heating section is configured to heat said liquid with said C02 precursor being dissolved in said liquid. This advantageously leads to a particularly easy and safe triggering of said C02 precursor. In particular, said heating section comprises at least one Peltier effect device with a heatable side, said heatable side being arranged and configured for heating at least parts of said liquid.

Peltier effect devices, also known as Peltier elements or thermoelectric elements, are suitable for transferring or pumping heat from a coolable part to a heatable part when an electrical current is applied. They are inexpensive and easy to operate.

In a further embodiment, said apparatus comprises a distillation unit for producing distilled liquid, wherein said heating section is part of said distillation unit and configured for evaporating said liquid in order to produce steam.

Said distillation unit is configured for distilling at least parts of said liquid. It is particularly configured for a continuous flow-through distillation. In particular, said distillation unit further comprises a condensation section for at least partly condensing said steam. Said

condensation section may be configured for a continuous flow-through distillation.

Said heating section is arranged and configured in order to heat at least parts of said liquid such that at least a part of said C02 precursor releases C02. In other words, heat which is applied for distilling said liquid is used for triggering said C02 precursor. This leads to an energy-saving, safe and effective process for producing potable mineralized water.

In particular, said apparatus is configured for at least partially and in particular essentially completely dissolving the released C02 in said liquid. C02 released in a molecular form can at least partially be dissolved into said liquid, in particular in said distillation unit. For this purpose, said apparatus and in particular said distillation unit is in particular closed towards the environment so that gaseous C02 cannot escape into the environment. Thus, dissolving of said C02 can appear immediately during its release and/or subsequently.

If a Peltier effect device is arranged for heating said liquid in said distillation unit, said Peltier effect device may be configured for heating the heatable side relative to a coolable side and therefore pump heat from the steam to be condensed to the liquid to be evaporated. It may thus be used as a dual-function device, simultaneously evaporating said liquid and contributing to condensation of the steam produced. The Peltier effect device can comprise a combination of several thermoelectric elements, e.g. connected in series. There may be more than one Peltier effect device comprising heatable and coolable sides which are used for this purpose.

The apparatus may comprise a cooling section for cooling said liquid during and/or after the release of C02, said cooling section being realized separately from a condensation section of the distillation section. Besides the distilled liquid, the distillation unit typically produces a concentrate containing a high concentration of the water ingredients. The concentrate may be discharged by a suitable connection to the drain, e.g. by a tube into a sink. The apparatus may further comprise a tank for storage of said concentrate produced by the distillation unit. The distillation unit may comprise means for discharging said concentrate, e.g. periodically or if the water level in a compartment of the distillation unit such as the heatable side exceeds a predefined threshold level, into the tube or into said tank.

A further embodiment is characterized in that said apparatus comprises said cartridge connector and said cartridge. Said cartridge and said cartridge connector are configured for realizing said first and second flow connections. Thus, said cartridge is connectable to said cartridge connector.

In a further embodiment, said mineralization section comprises at least one mineralization container for storing solids comprising said mineral composition, said mineralization container having a first flow connection for feeding a flow of said liquid comprising C02 into said container in order to enrich said liquid, producing potable mineralized water, and in particular a second flow connection for directing a flow of said potable mineralized water out of said container and, in particular, to lead said potable mineralized water to a potentially present output section.

Said mineralization container may contain said mineral composition and/or be suitable for refilling said mineral composition. For this purpose it may comprise a refill opening for refilling said mineral composition and, in particular, a lid for covering said refill opening.

Said mineralization section may comprise more than one container such that each container can contain a different mineral composition.

A further embodiment is characterized in that said apparatus comprises a first sensor for obtaining information about a mineral level of said potable mineralized water and a first control device for influencing said mineral level depending on said information.

Said first control device may be connected to a mixing device for mixing a first flow of potable mineralized water and a second flow of water which has not been or has been less mineralized, producing a mixed flow, in order to influence the mineral concentration of said mixed flow. Said mixing device may be comprised by said apparatus. Said flow of water which has not or less been mineralized may be obtained by leading liquid to which no or less C02 precursor has been added through the mineralizer or by bypassing said mineralizer by a flow of liquid. Alternatively, said second flow may be water to which no or less C02 precursor has been added or water which has not been triggered or which has been triggered to a lesser extent. The first and second flows of water may be realized

simultaneously and/or subsequently. Said first control device may comprise a switch for switching on and off said precursor supply means such that alternately C02 precursor is added and no C02 precursor is added. It may comprise a switch for switching on and off said triggering section such that alternately said C02 precursor is triggered and said C02 precursor is not triggered. It may comprise at least one valve or a valve system for alternately leading said liquid through said mineralizer and bypassing said mineralizer. It may comprise at least one valve or a valve system for alternately leading said liquid through said precursor supply means and bypassing said precursor supply means. It may comprise at least one valve for controlling a relation of a flow of liquid being supplied with C02 precursor and/or mineralized and a flow of liquid being bypassed, wherein said flows may be realized simultaneously, wherein a relation of volume flows may be influenced, and/or said flows may be realized alternately, wherein a relation of temporal proportions may be influenced.

Said apparatus may comprise a mineralizer bypass for bypassing said mineralization section and/or said cartridge connector and a flow control means to control a liquid flow in said mineralizer bypass in order to control a mineral level of said potable mineralized water. Thus, said first control device may be configured to influence the ratio of the liquid flow through the mineralization section or cartridge connector and the liquid flow through the mineralizer bypass.

In particular, said precursor supply means comprises at least one regulating means, in particular at least one valve, for regulating a proportion of a first volume flow of said liquid to which said C02 precursor is to be added and a second volume flow of said liquid to which no C02 precursor is to be added. This is realized for influencing C02 precursor dosage in a combined volume flow comprising said first and second volume flows depending on said information about a mineral level in order to influence said mineral level.

Said proportion may refer to two volume flows realized simultaneously of which one or both may be changed in order to influence the C02 precursor level in the combined volume flow.

It may also refer to two volume flows realized alternately of which the duration of one or both may be changed in order to influence the time averaged C02 precursor level in the combined volume flow. In other words, said combined volume flow can comprise said first and second volume flows successively.

Said first sensor and/or any other sensor such as a second sensor may be configured for detecting at least one parameter out of conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, temperature and others.

In another embodiment, said precursor supply means comprises at least one regulating means, in particular at least one valve, for regulating a proportion of a first volume flow of said liquid to which said C02 precursor is to be added and a second volume flow of said liquid to which no C02 precursor is to be added. Said apparatus comprises a second control device for influencing C02 precursor dosage depending on information about a mineral level of said liquid to be treated in order to take into account minerals comprised in said liquid and/or C02 to be released due to minerals and/or bicarbonate comprised in said liquid. As mentioned above, said combined volume flow can comprise said first and second volume flows successively.

In another embodiment, said precursor supply means is realized as a precursor dosing unit and said first control device is suitable for influencing C02 precursor dosage depending on said information in order to influence said mineral and/or bicarbonate level.

In one embodiment, said precursor supply means is realized as a precursor dosing unit, wherein said apparatus comprises a first sensor for obtaining information about a mineral level of said potable mineralized water and a first control device for influencing C02 precursor dosage depending on said information in order to influence said mineral and/or bicarbonate level.

Said precursor dosing unit is in particular configured for discontinuously adding amounts of said C02 precursor to a flow of said liquid. It may for example be configured to be controlled by said first control device in order to influence the time between the dosing operations and/or the amounts dosed and/or the number of the dosages of each dosing operation.

This enables adaptation of the mineralization to the mineral level of the potable mineralized water and, thus, a closed-loop control of the process in order to achieve a constant effluent quality.

In one embodiment, said apparatus comprises a precursor bypass for bypassing said precursor supply means, in particular a C02 precursor addition point of said precursor supply means, and a control device to control a liquid flow in said precursor bypass in order to control a mineral level of said potable mineralized water. Said control device may be said first control device. It may be configured to influence the proportion of the liquid flow being supplied with said C02 precursor by the precursor supply means and the liquid flow through the precursor bypass. A precursor bypass valve may be arranged in said precursor bypass for influencing the flow in said precursor bypass. A main line valve may be arranged in the main line section arranged in parallel to said precursor bypass for influencing the flow in said main line section.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage tank for storing said potable mineralized water, said storage tank being in particular arranged downstream of said condensation section and, more particularly, of said mineralizer. In particular, the storage tank is arranged and configured to store said potable mineralized water prior to its

dispensing. It may serve as a compensating tank for compensating changes in volume flow, temperature and/or composition of the potable mineralized water, in particular regarding continuous mineralization with comparatively small flow rates and discontinuous dispensing of said potable mineralized water with comparatively high flow rates.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus comprises an ion exchanger for accepting calcium and/or magnesium ions from said liquid to be treated and releasing sodium ions into said liquid in order to prevent lime scale. This prevents deposits of calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate which have a low solubility in contrast to sodium carbonate. Said ion exchanger may be part of said input section. In particular, it comprises an ion exchange resin.

In a further embodiment, said precursor supply means is realized as a precursor dosing unit, wherein said apparatus comprises a second control device for influencing C02 precursor dosage depending on information about a mineral level of said liquid to be treated in order to take into account C02 to be released due to minerals comprised in said liquid.

In particular, said apparatus comprises a third sensor for obtaining said information about a mineral level of said liquid provided to said input section. Alternatively, said second control device may be suitable for using information about a mineral level of said liquid to be treated based on local water hardness, e.g. obtained with knowledge of the location of said apparatus or by user input. Thus, said apparatus may comprise an input interface for enabling the user to input information about a mineral level of said liquid to be treated such as water hardness and/or a GPS device for determining the location of the apparatus and a network connector for obtaining said information based upon said location.

Taking into account C02 to be released due to minerals comprised in said liquid refers to decreasing the C02 precursor to be dosed in case that said liquid to be treated comprises minerals releasing C02 such as bicarbonate when heated such that the mineral level in the potable mineralized water will not exceed a defined value. This can in particular be the case when the liquid to be treated is an input water with a high hardness which has been softened by means of an ion exchanger. Thus, Ca and Mg ions have been substituted for Na, providing sodium bicarbonate that acts as an excellent precursor due to its high solubility and low triggering or decomposition temperature.

Said information about a mineral level may refer to said liquid as provided to said input section and/or said liquid as provided to said precursor supply means and/or said liquid as provided to said triggering section and/or said liquid as provided to said mineralizer.

This enables adaptation of the mineralization to the mineral level of the liquid to be treated and, thus, a very efficient process with a constant effluent quality. A third aspect of the invention is the use of a cartridge containing a mineral composition in a method according to the invention and/or in an apparatus according to the invention.

In particular, said mineral composition is contained in said cartridge as a powder and/or as granules.

It has shown that, due to the low solubility, cartridges containing a mineral composition are hardly effective when used without the apparatus or method according to the invention, as minerals’ solubility is very low. However, using the apparatus or method according to the invention, the solubility is strongly increased such that a quick and effective mineralization is possible.

The invention is further illustrated and characterized by the following figures that show certain examples from which further embodiments and advantages can be drawn. These figures are meant to illustrate the invention but not to limit its scope.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a method according to the invention in an apparatus according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a modified detail A’ of part A of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows another modified detail A” of part A of Figure 1 , and

Figure 4 shows a modified detail B’ of part B of Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a method according to the invention in an apparatus 10 according to the invention. The liquid 23 to be treated is provided by an input section 20 which is realized as an input tank 22 in the depicted embodiment. It is pumped through the subsequent parts of the apparatus 10 by input pump 76. A C02 precursor is added to said liquid 23 in a precursor supply means 30. Sodium bicarbonate is used as C02 precursor.

The precursor supply means 30 comprises a volume 31 to be passed by said liquid, said volume 31 containing said C02 precursor in a granular and/or pulverized form. In the shown embodiment, said volume 31 comprises an input, an output and a salt basket in which the C02 precursor is contained in a granular form. Said volume 31 is arranged in a main line for the liquid 23 which further comprises a main line valve 86.

A precursor bypass is arranged in parallel to said main line in order to bypass a volume flow of said liquid 23 not being supplied with said C02 precursor. Said precursor bypass also comprises a valve which is referred to as precursor bypass valve 85. Both said main line valve 86 and said precursor bypass valve 85 are connected to a first control device 81 which is configured to influence the proportion of the liquid flow through the main line and the liquid flow through the precursor bypass line and, thus, to influence the amount of C02 precursor being added to said liquid 23. In other words, said valves 85, 86 serve as regulating means for regulation a proportion of the first volume flow of said liquid 23 to which said C02 precursor is to be added in the second volume flow of said liquid 23 to which no C02 precursor is to be added for influencing C02 precursor dosage in a combined volume flow comprising said first and second volume flows. Alternatively, a single valve could be used as shown with valve 83 in figure 4.

In the shown embodiment, said ratio refers to a time averaged ratio of the two volume flows being realized alternately. Thus, at any time, either valve 85 or valve 86 is closed while the other valve is opened. Typically, more than 80% and in one embodiment more than 90% of the time, only the precursor bypass 37 is used and thus, no C02 precursor is added to said liquid 23. Consequently, the main line is used only in short intervals in order to add said C02 precursor to said liquid 23. This is due to the high concentration of the C02 precursor in said volume 31. It leads to the advantage that simple and cost-effective valves 85, 86 can be used. Tests have shown that said triggering step as well as the dissolution of said mineral composition in said liquid 23 show very good results in this configuration.

Tanks which are arranged downstream may be used as mixing tanks for equilibrating the C02 precursor level in said liquid 23 over a period of time, for example the heat exchanging section 58 or an additional mixing tank which is not depicted here.

Downstream the precursor supply means the third sensor 73 is arranged which has different functions. In particular, each sensor is realized as total dissolved solids, TDS, sensor based on conductivity measurement. Firstly, during use of the precursor bypass 37, said third sensor 73 serves for measuring properties of said liquid 23 to be treated as provided by said input section 20. This can also be referred to as raw liquid. Secondly, during C02 precursor addition, said third sensor 73 serves for measuring properties of said raw liquid with said C02 precursor which is a salt and, thus, increases the connectivity of said liquid 23. Thus, the C02 precursor addition can be monitored. In cooperation with valves 85, 86 it can also be controlled.

Downstream of said third sensor 73, a distillation unit 42 is arranged for purifying and demineralizing said liquid 23 and for removing a residual produced during triggering said C02 precursor to release C02. Said distillation unit 42 comprises a heat exchanging section 58, a heating section 56 which also serves as a part of a triggering section 40, a

condensation section 54 and a Peltier effect device 44 for heating and cooling respective volume flows of said liquid. Said Peltier effect device 44, also referred to as thermoelectric element, comprises a heatable side 50 and a coolable side 52. Said heatable side 50 serves for heating liquid 23 arranged in said heating section 56 and for triggering of at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02. Within said heating section 56 and subsequent sections, dissolved C02 is provided in said liquid 23. In other words, said triggering section 40 comprises said heating section 56 and sections which are arranged downstream.

Said liquid 23 firstly enters the preheating section 58 to be preheated by excess heat of a two-phase mixture of steam and condensed steam which is present in the adjacent condensation section 54. In other words, a heat flow is realized from said condensation section 54 to said preheating section 58. The preheated liquid 23 is led to the heating section 56 in order to be evaporated. Steam is produced and led to the condensation section 54 via the steam line 46 together with produced C02. It is condensed by transferring heat to said coolable side 52 of said Peltier effect device 44 and to said heat exchanging section 58.

The heatable side 50 of said Peltier effect device 44 is thermally coupled to said heating section 56 and its coolable side 52 is thermally coupled to said condensation section 54 so that heat is pumped from said condensation section 54 to said heating section 56.

A discharge line 90 is coupled to said heating section 56 in order to discharge produced concentrate. It can be opened and closed via discharge valve 92 which may be electrically and/or automatically controlled in order to regularly discharge the concentrate.

The condensed distilled liquid comprising C02 or a mixture of condensed distilled liquid and remaining steam comprising C02 flows to cooling section 66 for being cooled to a

temperature between 30°C and 40°C. In said condensation section 54, said C02 can be present in a dissolved and/or molecular form. Through the temperature decrease in the cooling section 66, a great part of said C02 is dissolved into said liquid 23. Cooling section 66 may for example be realized as a tube with metal fins arranged outside in order to increase the heat transfer surface towards the environment. Therefore it may be referred to as radiator. An air fan may be arranged in order to increase the turbulence of environment air and said heat transfer surface for enhancing the cooling process. Alternatively, a second Peltier effect device could be used for cooling.

Downstream said cooling section 66, a second sensor 72 is arranged which serves as a quality control of the distillation process in said distillation unit 42. If a certain conductivity threshold is surmounted, this may be an indication that the distillation unit 42 does not work as expected. Typically, very low conductivity values are expected here.

Downstream of said second sensor 72, the mineralizer 60 for producing potable mineralized water 24 is arranged. In this embodiment, it comprises a cartridge connector for realizing a first flow connection from said apparatus 10 to a cartridge 62 which is schematically shown and contains a solid mineral composition. Inside the cartridge 62 said liquid 23 contacts said mineral composition such that said mineral composition at least partly dissolves into said liquid 23 and potable mineralized water 24 is produced. The C02 in said liquid 23 is at least partly and in particular essentially completely consumed in order to dissolve an amount of minerals in said liquid 23.

Downstream of said mineralizer 60, a first sensor 71a is arranged in order to monitor the mineral content of the potable mineralized water 24. To improve accuracy of this mineral content, the difference between values of said first sensor 71a and said second sensor 72 may be used.

Downstream of said first sensor 71a storage tank 68 is arranged for storing the produced potable mineralized water 24 before dispensing. Said storage tank 68 may also serve for compensating the temperature and/or mineral content of said water 24. A cooling element, for example comprising an additional Peltier effect device, may be thermally coupled to said storage tank 68 in order to cool the contained potable mineralized water 24 for convenience and/or preservation purposes. This is not shown here.

Another first sensor 71 b is arranged for detecting properties of the potable mineralized water 24 in said storage tank 68. It may be used to monitor the quality of the potable mineralized water 24 to be dispensed via the output section 25. The output section 25 is realized as manually and/or electrically controllable dispenser comprising a dispensing pump 78.

Each of the first sensors 71a, 71b may be suitable for obtaining information about the mineral level of said potable mineralized water 24 which, in cooperation with said first control device 81 , may serve for influencing said mineral level depending on said information. This is in particular realized by the previously described precursor bypass valves 85 and said main line valve 86.

In addition to the first control device 81 , a second control device 82 may be arranged for influencing C02 precursor dosage depending on information about a mineral level of said liquid 23 to be treated which is detected, as described, by means of the third sensor 73.

Thus, minerals and/or bicarbonate comprised in said liquid 23 can be taken into account when controlling C02 precursor dosage for regulating mineralization.

Each of said sensors 71a, 71 b, 72 and 73 may be realized as a combined sensor comprising conductivity or TDS measurement, respectively, and temperature measurement. Said first sensor 71b could for example serve to monitor the temperature of the potable mineralized water 24 to be dispensed by output section 25.

In another embodiment, said input section 20 may be realized as a connection section to be connected to a water tap. Said discharge line 90 may be suitable for connecting it to the drain.

A first alternative embodiment A’ of the parts of the apparatus 10 marked with letter A in figure 1 is shown in figure 2. Between the cooling section 66 and the second sensor 72 a discharge section 89, realized as discharge opening, is arranged which is opened and closed by a venting valve 88. Excess C02 can be removed from the liquid flow in order to prevent excessive mineralization and said mineralizer 60. This might for example be necessary if the liquid 23 to be treated as provided in said input section 20 already contains sufficient bicarbonate, C02 and/or minerals. Even if no C02 precursor is added, the C02 level may be too high for the desired mineral content. In this case, C02 can be removed as described. For this purpose, the venting valve 88 can be partially or periodically opened. It could for example be realized as a float switch or selective membrane.

The discharge section 89 might alternatively be arranged in the position of the condensation section 54 or between the condensation section 54 and the cooling section 66.

A second alternative embodiment A” of the parts of the apparatus 10 marked with letter A in figure 1 is shown in figure 3. The cooling section is split up into the first part 66a and a second part 66b, wherein the discharge section 89 and the venting valve 88 are positioned between said parts 66a, 66b. This allows for essentially completely condensing remaining steam by cooling down the mixture to a temperature of approximately 80°C in the first part 66a of the cooling section. At this temperature, C02 does not dissolve well in water yet and can, thus, be easily dispensed as gaseous phase. The second part 66b of the cooling section which is arranged downstream now serves for further cooling down the said mixture such that the remaining C02 can at least partly and in particular essentially completely be dissolved.

Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment B’ of the parts of the apparatus 10 marked with letter B in figure 1. A mineralizer bypass 64 is arranged for bypassing the mineralizer 60. Mineralizer bypass valve 83 is arranged for simultaneously or periodically regulating the respective volume flows through the mineralizer 60 and the bypass line 64. Alternatively, a combination of two valves could be used as shown with valves 85 and 86 in figure 1.

By regulating the said volume flows the mineral content of the potable mineralized water 24 can be influenced. As an input value for this control, measured values of the first sensor 71a and/or the first sensor 71b can be used and, if applicable, compared to target values. List of Reference Signs

Apparatus 10

Input Section 20 Input Tank 22

Liquid 23

Potable Mineralized Water 24

Output Section 25

Precursor Supply Means 30 Volume 31

Precursor Bypass 37

Triggering Section 40

Distillation Unit 42

Peltier Effect Device 44 Steam Line 46

Heatable Side 50

Coolable Side 52

Condensation Section 54

Heating Section 56 Heat Exchanging Section 58

Mineralizer 60

Cartridge 62

Mineralizer Bypass 64

Cooling Section 66 First Part 66a

Second Part 66b

Storage Tank 68

First Sensor 71a

First Sensor 71b Second Sensor 72

Third Sensor 73

Input Pump 76

Dispensing Pump 78 First Control Device 81

Second Control Device 82

Mineralizer Bypass Valve 83

Precursor Bypass Valve 85

Main Line Valve 86 Venting Valve 88

Discharge Section 89

Discharge Line 90

Discharge Valve 92

Claims

1. A method for producing potable mineralized water (24), comprising the steps:

- providing a liquid (23) to be treated to an apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24),

- adding a C02 precursor to said liquid (23),

- triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02, providing

dissolved C02 in said liquid (23), wherein said C02 release is realized in said apparatus (10),

- contacting at least parts of said liquid (23) with a mineral composition such that said mineral composition at least partly dissolves into said liquid (23), providing potable mineralized water (24).

2. The method for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to claim 1 ,

characterized in that contacting said liquid (23) with said mineral composition is performed by realizing a flow of said liquid (23) through at least one solid comprising said mineral composition, wherein said solid is in particular contained in a cartridge.

3. The method for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02 is realized by heating at least a part of said C02 precursor in order to initiate thermal decomposition of at least a part of said C02 precursor.

4. The method for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said method comprises purifying and/or demineralizing at least parts of said liquid (23) in order to remove at least one component from said liquid (23),

wherein, in particular, a residual is produced during the release of C02 and said component which is removed from the liquid (23) comprises at least parts of said residual.

5. The method for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to claim 4, characterized in that said purifying and/or demineralizing comprises distilling at least parts of said liquid (23), wherein said C02 precursor is added to said liquid (23) prior to and/or during said distillation process such that heat supplied to said liquid (23) for evaporating it in the distillation process triggers the C02 precursor to release C02.

6. The method for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said liquid (23) is cooled during and/or after the release of C02, in particular to a temperature between 10°C and 80°C, more particularly between 20°C and 60°C and for example between 30°C and 40°C.

7. The method for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said C02 precursor comprises a bicarbonate salt suitable to release C02 when heated, in particular sodium bicarbonate and/or potassium bicarbonate.

8. An apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) with the method as claimed in one of the claims 1-7, comprising

- an input section (20) for providing a liquid (23) to be treated,

- a precursor supply means (30) for adding a C02 precursor to said liquid (23),

- a triggering section (40) for triggering at least a part of said C02 precursor to release C02, providing dissolved C02 in said liquid (23), wherein said triggering section (40) is in particular suitable to trigger said C02 precursor by heating said C02 precursor and/or by changing at least one boundary condition such as light, pH, electrical current and/or the presence or absence of at least one substance,

- a mineralizer (60) for producing potable mineralized water (24), namely

i. a mineralization section for at least partly dissolving a mineral composition into said liquid (23), and/or

ii. a cartridge connector for realizing a first flow connection from said apparatus (10) to a cartridge (62) containing said mineral composition for contacting at least parts of said liquid (23) with at least parts of said mineral composition such that said mineral composition at least partly dissolves into said liquid (23).

9. The apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to claim 8, characterized in that the triggering section (40) is realized as heating section (56) for heating at least parts of said liquid (23) comprising said C02 precursor,

wherein, in particular, said heating section (56) comprises at least one Peltier effect device (44) with a heatable side (50), said heatable side (50) being arranged and configured for heating at least parts of said liquid (23).

10. The apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to claim 9, characterized in that said apparatus (10) comprises a distillation unit (42) for producing distilled liquid (23), wherein said heating section (56) is part of said distillation unit (42) and configured for evaporating said liquid (23) in order to produce steam.

11. The apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the claims 8-10, characterized in that said apparatus (10) comprises said cartridge connector and said cartridge (62).

12. The apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the claims 8-11 , characterized in that said mineralization section comprises at least one mineralization container for storing solids comprising said mineral composition, said mineralization container having a first flow connection for feeding a flow of said liquid (23) comprising C02 into said container in order to enrich said liquid (23), producing potable mineralized water (24), and in particular a second flow connection for directing a flow of said potable mineralized water (24) out of said container.

13. The apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the claims 8-12, characterized in that said apparatus (10) comprises a first sensor (71a, 71 b) for obtaining information about a mineral level of said potable mineralized water (24) and a first control device (81) for influencing said mineral level depending on said information,

wherein, in particular, said precursor supply means (30) comprises at least one regulating means, in particular at least one valve (85, 86), for regulating a proportion of a first volume flow of said liquid (23) to which said C02 precursor is to be added and a second volume flow of said liquid (23) to which no C02 precursor is to be added for influencing C02 precursor dosage in a combined volume flow comprising said first and second volume flows depending on said information about a mineral level in order to influence said mineral level.

14. The apparatus (10) for producing potable mineralized water (24) according to one of the claims 8-13, characterized in that said precursor supply means (30) comprises at least one regulating means, in particular at least one valve (85, 86), for regulating a proportion of a first volume flow of said liquid (23) to which said C02 precursor is to be added and a second volume flow of said liquid (23) to which no C02 precursor is to be added, wherein said apparatus (10) comprises a second control device (82) for influencing C02 precursor dosage depending on information about a mineral level of said liquid (23) to be treated in order to take into account minerals comprised in said liquid (23) and/or C02 to be released due to minerals and/or bicarbonate comprised in said liquid (23).

15. Use of a cartridge (62) containing a mineral composition in a method according to one of the claims 1-7 and/or in an apparatus (10) according to one of the claims 8-14.