CO2 - villain to saviour

as a solvent
1. used to dissolve chemical reactants
  1. supercritical fluid
    1. when alternating temp and pressure of CO2 which converts it into an unusual state
    2. scCO2
      1. critical temp - 31°C
      2. can be used as a solvent with materials that would usually decompose at high temp
      3. properties can be modified by controlling the pressure
2. to extract or purify products
in foam
1. CFCs used as blowing agents
  1. manufacture expanded polystyrene foan for packaging
  2. no longer used
2. company using CO2 as a blowing agent
  1. CO2 waste from industrial and natural sources
for decaffeinated coffee
1. scCO2
  1. removes 97-99% of caffeine
  2. the pressure adjusted so that only caffeine is removed
  3. flavouring remains and there is no toxicity
for beer
1. produces natural fizz in beer
2. extract the characteristic flavour of beer from hops
for dry cleaning
1. scCO2
  1. used as a wetting agent
  2. safer solvent
for toxic waste treatment
1. many organic compounds dissolve in scCO2
  1. remove toxic materials from waste
    1. solvent's properties are adjusted using higher temp and pressure
      1. allows toxins to be removed from toxic waste mixtures
for chemical synthesis
1. scCO2
  1. ability to control its properties
    1. desired product obtained with fewer co-products
      1. simpler product separation

Resource summary

	Created by prisillajohnson9 about 10 years ago