Viper Service Manual
Publication Number: 621260373SER
- 4 -
© 2008-2016, Cornelius Inc.
D
ISPENSED
P
RODUCT
C
ONDITIONS
Overrun, as Applied to Carbonated Beverages
Overrun Definition
Overrun is defined as product expansion that takes place in the frozen carbonated drink. It is caused primarily by
CO
2
gas breakout and secondarily by freezing.
Overrun is a Variable
The percentage or degree of overrun depends on a number of factors. The specific syrup, BRIX, low dispensing
volume, carbonation level in the liquid product and freezing of the product. These items all affect overrun. After
these factors have been considered, desired viscosity (product consistency) adjustment may be made on the
unit. The viscosity adjustment adjusts product texture from very wet to light.
Specific Product Ingredients Affect Overrun
Each syrup has its own specific formulation of makeup. Fruit flavors contain citric acids that colas do not. Colas
also differ in ingredients from one brand to another. Each product formulation has its own peculiarities regarding
the way the product absorbs carbonation and the way it releases carbonation.
BRIX Affects Overrun
Sugar in carbonated drinks is like anti-freeze in water. The higher the BRIX, the greater the resistance of the
product to freezing. Conversely, in products with lower BRIX, freezing takes place at higher temperatures than for
high-BRIX products. Thus, BRIX affects overrun because the amount of sugar in a drink has a direct bearing on
the product’s freezing characteristics.
Low Dispensing Volume Affects Overrun
When a unit sits idle for a period of time with no drinks being dispensed, CO
2
gas in the system takes a “set”.
When the first few drinks are drawn off after an idle period, CO
2
gas has less tendency to break out as the drink
is dispensed. The result is that these first drinks have less overrun than drinks dispensed during peak-use
periods.
Carbonation Level in Liquid Product Affects Overrun
The higher the specific carbonation level in a given product, the greater the potential for carbonation breakout in
frozen carbonated form of that drink. For example, drinks with 3.0 volume of carbonation have more gas breakout
in frozen carbonated form and more overrun than drinks that contain 2.0 volumes of CO
2
gas.
Freezing Affects Overrun
Freezing causes approximately a 5-7 percent expansion in dispensed frozen carbonated drinks. The degree of
freezing is limited because the finished drink is intended to be sipped through a straw. This is not possible if the
product is too “solid”.
