Colegio Salesiano

Concepcin

HOW SOFT
DRINKS ARE
PRODUCED

Clarifying, filtering,
sterilizing, and
dechlorinating the
water

The quality of water is crucial to the success of a

soft drink. Impurities, such as suspended particles,

organic matter, and bacteria, may degrade taste and
color. They are generally removed through the
traditional process of a series of coagulation,
filtration, and chlorination. Coagulation involves
mixing a gelatinous precipitate, or floc, into the
water. The clarified water is poured through a sand
filter to remove fine particles of floc. The water
passes through a layer of sand and courser beds of
gravel to capture the particles of floc. The water is
dosed with a small amount of free chlorine. And
then, an activated carbon filter dechlorinates the
water and removes residual organic matter.

Mixing the ingredients

The dissolved sugar and flavor concentrates are

pumped into the dosing station in a

predetermined sequence according to their
compatibility. The ingredients are conveyed into
batch tanks where they are carefully mixed. The
syrup may be sterilized while in the tanks, using
ultraviolet radiation or flashpasteurization. The
water and syrup are carefully combined by
sophisticated machines, called proportioners,
which regulate the flow rates and ratios of the
liquids. The vessels are pressurized with carbon
dioxide to prevent aeration of the mixture.

Carbonating the
beverage
Carbonation is generally added to the finished

product, though it may be mixed into the water at an

earlier stage. The temperature of the liquid must be
carefully controlled since carbon dioxide solubility
increases as the liquid temperature decreases. Many
carbonators are equipped with their own cooling
systems. The amount of carbon dioxide pressure
used depends on the type of soft drink. For instance,
fruit drinks require far less carbonation than mixer
drinks, such as tonics, which are meant to be diluted
with other liquids. The beverage is slightly overpressured with carbon dioxide to facilitate the
movement into storage tanks and ultimately to the
filler machine.

Filling and packaging

The finished product is transferred into
bottles or cans at extremely high flow rates.
The containers are immediately sealed with
pressure-resistant closures. Because soft
drinks are generally cooled during the
manufacturing process, they must be brought
to room temperature before labeling. Finally,
containers are packed into cartons or trays
which are then shipped to distributors.