Carbon Dioxide (CO2)


Characteristics:

  • Not poisonous but too high concentration in the air is unhealthy.
  • Doesn’t support combustion / non - flammable.
  • Slightly pungent odor
  • Gas - colorless, solid - white.
  • Biting taste


USES:

- Widely  used in beverage industry as soda water or carbonated water.
- Refrigerant, food preservation, blanketing gas freeing from oxidation  in food industry (e.g.Del Monte Corp.)
- For pressure spraying and aerosol packaging
- Neutralizing agent for pH control and in cement curing
- For the transfer of hazardous and flammable liquids
- As a diluent w/ nitrous oxide in the manufacture of whipped cream
- Inerting agent in fire extinguishers, in canned food products and for shielded arc welding
- Blanketing agent in fire extinguishers
- As shield in arc welding
- Used in chemical industry, such as in making salicylic acid
- In production of urea
- Pressurizing oil well for secondary oil recovery
- Specialty uses: chilling aluminum rivets and shrink-fitting machine parts



PROCESS DESCRIPTION

    CO2 is recovered from Alcohol Plant where molasses, a by-product of sugar manufacturing, is fermented to produced Ethyl Alcohol or Ethanol and Carbon dioxide gas is liberated so that when brought down to negative temperature and applied with extremely high pressure, it will liquefy. Thereby, ready for refilling; bulk tank or CO2 cylinder.



GAS COMPOSITION


                                    Industrial Grade:          Food Grade:
Carbon Dioxide         99.9%                            99.9%
Oxygen                       0.02% max.                 0.02% max.
Nitrogen                     0.1% max.                    0.1% max.
Hydrogen Sulfide     10 ppm, max.                10 ppm, max.
Sulfur Dioxide           2 ppm, max.                  2 ppm, max.
Hydrocarbons           Nil                                    Nil
Moisture                    100 ppm, max.              100 ppm, max.


MATERIAL COMPATIBILITY

Dry carbon dioxide is non- corrosive; hence common material is acceptable (e.g. steel, iron, copper, brass, plastic). 
Moist carbon dioxide is slightly corrosive; hence carbonic acid resistant materials should be required for its cylinders.



CYLINDER INFORMATION:

 Containers Sizes and Color Coding:

Type                 Content     Color-Body     Color-Collar
Bantam (34 L)   22 kg      Gray                 Gray/Silver
Standard (42 L) 22 kg      Gray                 Gray/Silver

Note: At normal temperature, CO2 cylinder pressure ranges from 1100 psig to 1150 psig.



SAFETY PRECAUTION

- Liquid CO2 equipment should be kept clean.
- Never let CO2 allow to come in contact with your skin, if so, wash the affected skin with large quantity of unheated water, then apply cold compress. If skin has blisters & eyes are afflicted, consult the doctor immediately. Goggles(face shield), gloves, & apron should be worn.  Clothing splashed with CO2 must be promptly removed and aired for at least 1 hr.
- Wear safety glasses, use leather/plastic protective gloves, wear overalls when handling cylinders
- Use only approved pressure rated equipment
- Always use a regulator to connect to system
- Open cylinder valve slowly
- Close cylinder valve when not in use.
- Liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) should be handled or used only by persons instructed as to the nature of the material.
- Metals used for liquid CO2 equipment must have satisfactory physical properties at the low operating temperatures.
- In case where liquid CO2 may be trapped in any valve cavity, venting means should be provided.
- All safety relief devices should be placed or protected so that water cannot collect or freeze on them in any way, which would interfere with their proper operation. 
- When pouring CO2 from  one containing to another, the receiving container must be cooled gradually to prevent thermal shock, avoid splashes.
- Individuals handling CO2  products must be informed of the safety precautions &  the hazard it may cause .
- Small containers of liquid CO2 must be covered when not in use to avoid moisture and consequent plugging of the container outlet.