Industrial Applications

CO2 is one of the gases, together with argon, helium, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen, used as a shielding gas in the welding process. The welding method and the product to be welded dictate the choice of gas mixture.

CO2 can provide an environmentally friendly alternative for the chemical industries. It can, for example, facilitate the removal of highly “non-environmentally friendly” chemicals like hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons from the chemical process, as well as develop new and unique applications.

Being carbon based, CO2 usage in organic chemistry can be possible. There are also an increasing number of applications that are being developed in the fine chemicals arena, for example, chemicals used for styrene manufacturing.

CO2 is used as a cooling agent for several industries such as the rubber and plastics industry. LIC (Liquid Carbon Dioxide) can be used for refrigeration, inertization, cryogenic grinding and de-flashing.

Dry ice-based blast cleaning is fast, economical and environmentally friendly. It does not cause any damage to either the surface that is being cleaned, or its electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic components. It works by blasting special dry ice-pellets into the surface that is to be cleaned at high velocity, so as to break down and remove any contamination.
Unlike conventional methods, blast cleaning with dry ice allows tools or moulds to be cleaned while mounted on site, thus decreasing the downtime of production lines.

Blast cleaning with CO2 is also efficient for the electronics industry. When introduced with a low-pressure air stream, carbon dioxide in its snow or solid dry ice particle forms is used in conjunction with DIBC equipment to clean a multitude of surface contaminants from all types of electrical equipment, from motor windings and switching gear to delicate printed circuit boards. Not only does the process benefit from being gentle and non-abrasive, but it also offers the opportunity to clean electrical systems while live, since the process is dry and moisture-free.

Carbon dioxide or CO2 is often supplied to water and effluent treatment plants and to the pulp and paper industry. CO2 is a gas that’s highly soluble in water, and thus is used for pH control, corrosion control, hardening and to prevent scaling. CO2 also increases alkalinity.

Non-hazardous, easy to dose and with a buffering capacity that mineral acids are unable to match, CO2 is rapidly becoming the product of choice for these types of applications. It allows operators to run, for example, a more efficient water and effluent treatment process.

CAS (Controlled Atmosphere Stunning) with CO2 can eliminate the negative factors attached to traditional stunning methods. It offers a cost-efficient, more humane way to handling stunning and the method is available for pork and poultry.

The choice of a non-aversive method and reliable execution are essential, not only to eliminate current negative factors tied to animal welfare, but also to realize additional economic benefits when stunning. Stunning with CO2 reduces product damage and offers optimum meat quality, as well as a reliable, customized and trouble-free operation.