Chemical Symbol: CO2
Synonyms: Carbonic anhydride, Carbonic acid gases
Description
Carbon dioxide is a compound containing carbon and oxygen. At atmospheric
temperatures and pressures, carbon dioxide is in gaseous form. It is
colorless, odorless, about 1.5 times heavier than air and a slightly
acid gas. The gas is nonreactive, nontoxic and nonflammable. Solid
carbon dioxide (dry ice) is formed at a temperature of -78.5°C.
Uses
Carbon dioxide in its solid form (dry ice) is used as a refrigerant
when transporting dairy products, meat products, frozen foods and other
foods. It is also used as a coolant in industrial processes such as
grinding, rubber tumbling and cold treating materials.
As a gas, carbon dioxide is used to carbonate soft drinks, pH control
in water treatment, in chemical processing, as a food preservative,
in chemical and food processing. Furthermore, it is used when welding,
as a growth stimulant for plants and in pneumatic devices.
In liquid form, carbon dioxide can be used as a refrigerant when freezing
food products, low temperature testing of aviation, missile and electronic
components, as well as in fire extinguishers systems.
