There are a whole host of uses for CO2 gases within many industries, and some may just take you by surprise. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the main uses of CO2 in a variety of sectors, whilst also delving deeper into some of the less known uses of CO2 in the business world.
Modern Food Production
CO2 has numerous uses in modern food production. Commonly, it is used to create fake atmospheres that preserve plastic wrapped and easily perishable food like salads. This is where the general consumer comes into obvious contact with CO2, but it’s not the primary use for this gas in food.
CO2 is a vital tool for many abattoirs too, offering arguably a more humane stunning method than electric shocks. Once the animal has been butchered, CO2 is also vital for preserving the meat and extending its shelf-life by preventing aerobic bacteria growth.
CO2 is also used for shipping food from place to place, ensuring that it arrives on shelves safe to eat. This is done by using the CO2 to create dry ice, which further prevents bacteria from growing on the meat since bacteria thrives in hot temperatures.
Food Production of the Future – Hydroponics
Hydroponics is another way in which CO2 is used in making food. It uses food-grade CO2, which is a pure type of CO2 more suitable for consumption, to grow plants without soil. Instead, a water-based solution is used with special UV lighting which allows plants to be grown indoors. Plants need CO2 to photosynthesise, which is why our CO2 for hydroponics is vital.
One of the greatest benefits of using hydroponics to produce food is that the yield is unaffected by seasonal conditions, unlike traditional farming. This means that hydroponics allow for greater control in food production.
Another benefit of hydroponics is that plants can be grown in shelf-like stacks. This means that it is great for saving space, especially when compared to field growing. In the future, this could mean that fields are used to plant trees instead, which will help to lessen greenhouse emissions.
As you can see, CO2 is used at almost every step in the food production industry. Our modern way of living would not exist without it.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is used for more than just food transportation. It is used to keep luxury goods cold on planes and to keep blood bags and organ donations fresh during transport.
You can make dry ice simply by cooling carbon dioxide below -110 degrees, at which point it becomes a solid. When you bring this solid into room temperature, it starts turning back into a gas and creates a heavy white fog.
Because it is so cold, dry ice can be very dangerous to the common consumer. Touching dry ice can cause frost burn and inhaling too much of it as it disperses from the dry ice can cause sickness in small mammals. It can be very flashy, but it is best left to the professionals.
Safety
CO2 bottles might also be used in fire extinguishers in the right circumstances. CO2 extinguishers are typically found in offices and server rooms because they are the best type of extinguisher for putting out a fire with electrical risk.
The reason for using CO2 instead of water when electricity is involved is because the water would conduct the electricity and cause further damage, potentially exacerbating the fire. CO2 puts the fire out by displacing the oxygen in air which the fire needs to burn. As a result of a blanket of CO2 gas, the fire should be suffocated without further electrical risk.
Water Maintenance
CO2 might also be used in fish tanks or your local swimming pool to stabilise the water’s pH level. When diffused in water, some of the CO2 reacts with the water to form H2CO3 – a carbonic acid. This acid will actually help to lower the acidity of the pool until the CO2 eventually disperses into the air above the pool, at which point the pool’s pH level will start rising again. Pool maintenance requires regular treatments of CO2 to maintain a safe pH (between 7.2 and 7.8), which can be managed using a specialist controller.
As you can see, there are plenty of business uses for CO2, from protecting your office to cooling your drinks. If you want to learn more about CO2, you can do so on our blog: Fun Facts About Carbon Dioxide.
