What Is Carbon Dioxide Gas?
Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas vital to the Earth’s natural carbon cycle, produced by organisms and consumed by plants. It’s emitted from combustion and industrial processes, with its solid form known as dry ice and its aqueous solution as carbonated water.
Uses of Carbon Dioxide Gas
CO2 is used in various industries, including the chemical industry, food preservation, beverage carbonation, fire extinguishing, and as a raw material for industrial products. It’s also involved in urethane foam production but is recognized as a contributor to global warming, highlighting the importance of emission reduction.
Properties of Carbon Dioxide Gas
Present in trace amounts in the air, CO2 is soluble in water, forming slightly acidic carbonated water. It sublimates directly from solid to gas and is used as a fire-extinguishing agent due to its nonflammability and density. Caution is advised due to its toxic properties.
Other Information on Carbon Dioxide Gas
1. How Carbon Dioxide Gas Is Produced
Industrially produced from fermentation gas, natural gas, and byproduct gases, it’s purified through various methods to produce liquefied CO2 and dry ice, used in different applications.
2. Greenhouse Effect of Carbon Dioxide Gas
As a greenhouse gas, CO2 contributes to global warming with its absorption of infrared rays. Efforts to reduce emissions include anthropogenic reduction, afforestation, and the development of carbon dioxide gas capture and storage (CCS) technology.
3. Efforts to Capture and Separate Carbon Dioxide Gas
To combat global warming, technologies such as direct air capture (DAC), chemical and physical adsorption, membrane separation, and utilization of CO2 as a raw material are being developed and commercialized, with significant international involvement.