Universal Air Products

Application & Uses

CO2 in cylinders

Metal

In metal industry, CO2 is typically used for environment protection, specifically in fume suppression in Electric Arc Furnace and the non ferrous metallurgy operations. Liquid CO2 can be used to treat waters from Acid Mine Drainage to recover rare earth element carbonates of high value. CO2 is also used in lasers.

Oil & Gas

Carbon dioxide is used to enhance oil recovery (EOR) as it mixes with heavy oils and reduces their viscosity. It can also be used to repressurize depleted oil reservoirs. When anthropogenic CO2 (i.e. CO2 from human activity) is used for EOR, some CO2 remains stored in the reservoir, partially reducing the overall impact of the fossil fuel on global warming.

Food

The food industry employs carbon dioxide for food processing applications such as chilling and freezing, modified atmosphere packaging and temperature control for products being stored and transported. Carbon dioxide increases the life of many food products thanks to it fungistatic and bacteriostatic properties. Food products are conditioned under Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP). Carbon dioxide is also used in greenhouses to boost a plant growth..

Hospital care

Carbon dioxide is used in surgery as an insufflated gas and in dermatology.

Pharma & Biotech

Supercritical carbon dioxide is used to extract components (oils) from natural products. It is used to control the atmosphere (inerting) of processes. Carbon dioxide is a reactant in chemical synthesis. It is also used to transport products at low temperature down to: -78°C/-108.4°F/195.15K.

Chemicals

Carbon dioxide is used as a raw material in chemical process like urea or methionine synthesis. Carbon dioxide is used in chemistry for controlling reactor temperatures. CO2 is also employed to neutralize alkaline effluents. Carbon dioxide is used under supercritical conditions for purifying or dyeing polymers, animal or vegetal fibers.

Aeronautics

Carbon dioxide is used as a shielding gas for arc welding. Dry Ice (Solid carbon dioxide) is used to remove particles and organic residues from metals, polymers, ceramics and glasses. Calibrated mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen are used for the calibration of measuring equipments used for engine test emissions.

Automotive

Carbon dioxide is used as a shielding gas for arc welding. Dry Ice cleaning removes particles and organic residues from metals, polymers, ceramics, glasses. Calibrated mixtures of carbon dioxide and nitrogen are used for the calibration of measuring equipment used for engine test emissions.

Beverage

Carbon dioxide is used to carbonate beverages such as soft drinks, mineral water or beer and for wine maturation. Carbonic ice (also called dry ice) is used at difference stages of production and distribution of beverages. Supercritical carbon dioxide is used to extract caffein from coffee bean

Electronic components

Carbon dioxide is used for cleaning wafers.

Waste & Water management

Carbon dioxide is broadly used in water management to control pH, and is a very good alternative to sulfuric or hypochlorous/hydrochloric acid as it is economic, safe and environmentally friendly. Combined with lime it is used in desalination plants for potable water production.

Pharma & Biotech

Nitrogen is used for inerting, cryo-grinding, lyophilisation, drying, liquid phase transfer of products or synthesis intermediates. It is also used for cryo-condensation of waste gases and low temperature storage.