Most people know carbon dioxide primarily as a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. While it's true that carbon dioxide (CO₂) can harm the environment when released into the atmosphere, it is also a highly useful and versatile material with numerous applications across various industries when properly contained.
One of the most common uses of carbon dioxide is as an energy carrier, often in the form of a refrigerant or coolant. This applies to both its liquid and gaseous states, as well as to solid CO₂, more commonly known as "dry ice." Additionally, due to its inert nature—meaning it does not easily react with other substances—carbon dioxide is also used as an inerting agent in the chemical and food industries, helping to prevent the oxidation of products during manufacturing.
In addition, plants use CO2 in many specific applications and industrial processes in individual industries.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) has a wide range of applications in the food and beverage industry.
The most common use of CO₂ is for carbonating beverages, such as beer, soft drinks, and wine, which also helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, carbon dioxide is used in the decaffeination process of coffee.
Due to its cooling properties, CO₂ is effective in keeping food products cold during transportation. It is also used for quick-freezing foods and, when combined with ethylene oxide, for cold sterilization.
Moreover, CO₂ serves as an excellent inert blanket that protects food items during production by displacing air, particularly in the canning process, and can also be used to propel or extract food products from their containers.
In agriculture, CO₂ is employed in several important ways. During grain treatment, CO₂ is introduced into silos or storage facilities to eliminate insects and safeguard the stored products.
It also plays a crucial role in the production of certain fertilizers. Additionally, carbon dioxide is used to enrich the air in greenhouses, enhancing the photosynthesis potential of crops and improving their growth.
In MIG/MAG welding, CO2 serves as a so-called shield gas, which means that it protects the weld puddle from oxidation.
In addition, in combination with argon, carbon dioxide is used to achieve an improved welding rate and to reduce the need for post-welding treatment.
Large quantities of CO2 Industrial Gas are used as a raw material in the production of methanol and urea.
In metalworking, carbon dioxide has anti-corrosive properties and is also used to harden casting molds.
In the petroleum industry, CO₂ is injected into oil wells to enhance oil recovery. The CO₂ partially dissolves in the oil, reducing its viscosity and making it easier to extract from the bedrock.
Dry ice pellets, made from carbon dioxide, are used for paint removal from surfaces. This method is increasingly replacing sandblasting due to its lower disposal and cleanup costs.
In healthcare, CO₂ is added to medical-grade oxygen to help stimulate respiration.
Despite its role in climate change, CO₂ can be environmentally friendly in certain applications. For instance, when used as a propellant in aerosol cans, CO₂ is often a better alternative than many other options.
