Liquid and Compressed Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Many know carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a product of combustion, as an essential component of photosynthesis, a plant’s ability to change carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen in the presence of light, and the gas that provides “carbonation” to soft drinks, beer and sparkling wines.

But where does purified carbon dioxide originate? With all the attention around climate change and the part that carbon dioxide plays in that process, you might think that atmospheric extraction would make the most sense. Would you believe it? Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide average less than 450 parts per million, making that process not the best way to get the job done and cos too much money to provide any value. Also, natural fermentation has no problems in a wine bottle and brewing tank, but that process doesn’t have much upscale potential. No, just about all the purified carbon dioxide that is on the market today is a byproduct of chemical manufacturing, oil refining and natural gas purification.

Carbon dioxide is an odorless, colorless, nonflammable slightly acidic gas and, because it is available on such a large scale, has many uses in a variety of industries. The food industry uses CO₂ in food freezing, carbonated beverage manufacturing and modified atmosphere packaging. Carbon dioxide is considered an “active gas” in shielding the arc in gas metal arc welding (GMAW / MIG welding) either alone or in mixtures of argon and helium. Its acidic properties mixed with water make it a good water treatment additive for pH control. Liquid Carbon Dioxide is also expanded in specialized equipment to produce “dry ice” blocks and nuggets used for temporary refrigeration.

Higher purities of carbon dioxide, from Dry to Ultra High Purity and Research Grades are utilized in laser cutting and marking operations, spanning everything from medical devices to steel fabrication. Growers utilize controlled amounts of CO₂ to improve fertilizers in greenhouse operations. High purity CO₂ is commonly used as an oxygen-free atmosphere for anaerobic incubation, and in the preparation of special application mixtures for blood gas monitoring.

For further details about PurityPlus^® Carbon Dioxide and its availability, call PurityPlus^® Specialty Gases by Weldstar at 708-627-1007 or contact us online.