What Is Liquid CO2 Used For?

Liquid CO2 is primarily used for food and beverage production, chemical manufacturing, and various industrial processes like welding and cleaning. In this guide, we go over these use cases in more detail to show you exactly how this useful substance supports them.

The Value of CO2 in Food and Beverage Manufacturing

Liquid CO2 is everywhere in the food and beverage industry. It’s the secret behind the bubbles in your favorite soft drinks and plays a crucial role in food preservation.

Carbon dioxide gives sodas and sparkling beverages their signature fizz through the process of carbonation, where the gas is dissolved into the liquid under pressure. Food manufacturers also use it as a powerful cooling agent in flash-freezing processes to help maintain food quality and extend shelf life.

For example, when frozen foods need to be transported, dry ice (solid CO2) created from liquid CO2 keeps products at the perfect temperature without the need for mechanical refrigeration. This makes it especially valuable for shipping everything from ice cream to frozen vegetables.

Industrial and Chemical Processing Applications

Liquid CO2 is a key component in many chemical manufacturing processes. It’s used as a raw material to produce essential chemicals like methanol and urea, which are the building blocks of countless products we use daily, such as:

• Plastics
• Paints
• Carpets

In the welding industry, CO2 acts as a component of shielding gas mixtures, protecting the weld area from contamination and oxidation. This results in stronger and cleaner welds that meet the strict quality standards that welding projects must adhere to.

Many industrial cleaning operations rely on dry ice blasting, where solid CO2 pellets created from liquid CO2 are used to clean equipment and surfaces without leaving any residue. This method is particularly useful in food processing facilities where cleanliness is paramount.

Safety and Environmental Applications

Liquid CO2 plays a vital role in many safety procedures and environmentally friendly operations, such as:

• Fire suppression: CO2 is especially effective for electrical fires and situations where water-based systems aren’t suitable.
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS): this process helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 from industrial processes and storing it underground.
• pH adjustment: water treatment facilities use liquid CO2 to ensure safe drinking water for communities. It’s a more environmentally friendly alternative to other chemical treatments.

Medical and Specialized Uses

In the medical field, liquid CO2 has found its place in many therapeutic applications. For example, doctors use it in cryosurgery to remove unwanted tissue and treat skin conditions.

As for specialized uses, some less-known but important ones include:

• Decaffeination, where liquid CO2 safely removes caffeine from coffee beans
• Virgin olive oil extraction to provide a chemical-free method for producing high-quality oil
• District heating systems, where CO2 is used in large-scale heat pumps

Choose Your CO2 Supplier Wisely

Whether you’re running a beverage plant, managing a welding shop, or operating a food processing facility, having a dependable supply of liquid CO2 can make all the difference in your day-to-day operations.

The right supplier should deliver the right solutions for your specific needs, ensuring you have the liquid CO2 you need when you need it.

Applications for liquid CO2 are constantly evolving, and new uses are being discovered regularly. That’s why your supplier should stay on top of industry developments to provide expert guidance for your specific application.