szénsavasítás

Szénsavasítás is the Hungarian term for carbonation, the process of dissolving carbon dioxide gas into a liquid, typically water or a beverage. This process is commonly used to create fizzy drinks such as soda water, mineral water, and soft drinks. The carbon dioxide, when dissolved under pressure, forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), which gives the liquid its characteristic tangy taste and effervescence.

The industrial process of szénsavasítás usually involves chilling the liquid and then injecting carbon dioxide gas under high pressure into a sealed vessel. As the pressure is released when the container is opened, the dissolved carbon dioxide escapes from the solution, forming bubbles and the fizziness. This phenomenon is a reversible chemical reaction, and the amount of dissolved CO2 is dependent on temperature and pressure. Lower temperatures and higher pressures favor greater dissolution.

Szénsavasítás can also occur naturally. Some mineral waters are naturally carbonated as they pass through underground sources containing dissolved carbon dioxide. Home carbonation devices also exist, allowing individuals to carbonate their own beverages by injecting CO2 from a cartridge into a bottle of liquid. The term itself is derived from the Hungarian words "szénsav" (carbonic acid) and "-sítás" (a suffix indicating the process of making or causing something).