Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Carbon Dioxide, CO2, is a tasteless, colorless, odorless, nonflammable gas with an acidic taste. It is a molecule formed from one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

Carbon dioxide is an important part of the basic life cycle in nature. It is released by plants and exhaled by humans and animals and then used by plants in photosynthesis. Plants, in turn, release oxygen, which humans and animals require.

Atmospheric air contains only 0.03% of Carbon Dioxide, so it is not a commercially feasible source; rather, numerous manufacturing processes furnish by-product streams from which carbon dioxide may be obtained, such as the combustion of coal and natural gas.

Carbon Dioxide is unique because it is a liquid at room temperature at approximately 900psi in a standard cylinder. Therefore a cylinder of CO2 will hold much more gas volume than a comparable product stored in the gas phase. Also, the pressure of a standard CO2 cylinder will stay constant until the liquid is all vaporized and the pressure will drop quickly.

Carbon Dioxide's solid phase is Dry Ice.

Common uses of Carbon Dioxide?

Carbon Dioxide is used to carbonate soft drinks , as a shielding gas in the arc welding process, as a lasing gas in lasers, fire extinguishers, paint ball propellant and more.

Properties of Carbon Dioxide(CO2):

Molecular Weight: 44.01
Specific Volume: 8.76 CF/lb
Flammable Limits: Nonflammable
CGA Valve: 320
DOT Name: Carbon Dioxide
UN No.: UN1013
DOT Class: 2.2
DOT Label: Nonflammable Gas
CAS Registry: 124-38-9

Common Cylinder Sizes

Bulk - call for details
Liquid Cylinder CD170 - 384 #s
Standard Cylinder Capacities, 50#s, 20#s, 10#s, 5#s, the pressure of a full cylinder at 70 degree Fahrenheit is 830psi. Cylinder Pressure changes with temperature, click to find out details (pdf)
Larger Cylinder Sizes and bulk containers are available. Please call.

Common Conversion Factors

1 gallon liquid (nbp) = 73.93 cf Gas (NTP)
1 liter liquid (nbp) = 19.53 cf Gas (NTP)
1 kg = 19.25 cf Gas (NTP)
1 pound = 8.73 cf Gas (NTP)

Carbon Dioxide Purity Levels

Cylinder Size Details (pdf)

MSDS

Safe Handling of Compressed Gases (pdf)