Carbon dioxide

is a chemical compound composed of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. It is often referred to by its formula CO₂. It is present in the Earth's atmosphere at a low concentration of approximately 0.038%.

CO₂

has many commercial uses with new applications continually being created. While CO₂ may be used in either a vapor, liquid, solid or supercritical state in a given application, it is typically converted into liquid form at approximately 250 to 300 psig (17.6 - 21.1 kg/cm2) for economical storage and transportation.

CO₂ vaporizers

convert bulk liquid CO₂ to vapor which can be utilized in applications such as the carbonation of beverages (pin point carbonators), increasing the hardness of desalinated water, or the pH adjustment of process or effluent streams. Bulk liquid CO₂ can be utilized as a low temperature heat transfer fluid or as a part of a cascade mechanical refrigeration system.

Solid CO₂

or “dry ice" is often used for food freezing. It is produced by expanding bulk liquid CO₂ to near atmospheric pressure and compacting the resultant solid in a dry ice press.

Supercritical CO₂

is produced by taking bulk liquid CO₂ and increasing both the temperature and pressure above their respective critical values. Numerous separation and cleaning applications take advantage of the solubility and / or low surface tension properties of supercritical CO₂.