Chemical Symbol: CO2
Synonyms: Carbonic anhydride, Carbonic acid gases


Description:
Carbon dioxide is a compound containing carbon and oxygen. At atmospheric temperatures and pressures, carbon dioxide is in gaseous form. It is colorless, odorless, about 1.5 times heavier than air and a slightly acid gas. The gas is nonreactive, nontoxic and nonflammable. Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is formed at a temperature of -78.5°C.

Uses
Carbon dioxide in its solid form (dry ice) is used as a refrigerant when transporting dairy products, meat products, frozen foods and other foods. It is also used as a coolant in industrial processes such as grinding, rubber tumbling and cold treating materials.

As a gas, carbon dioxide is used to carbonate soft drinks, pH control in water treatment, in chemical processing, as a food preservative, in chemical and food processing. Furthermore, it is used when welding, as a growth stimulant for plants and in pneumatic devices.

In liquid form, carbon dioxide can be used as a refrigerant when freezing food products, low temperature testing of aviation, missile and electronic components, as well as in fire extinguishers systems.