Food industry
Carbon dioxide is a versatile food gas used as a shielding gas, in refrigeration and freezing. It slows down microbial growth and naturally prolongs the shelf life of products. Carbon dioxide pulverised packaging protects delicate products such as potato chips from mechanical damage. The soft drinks industry, on the other hand, uses carbon dioxide to carbonate a variety of beverages and improve their shelf life.

Greenhouse farming
Plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Increasing the CO₂ concentration in the greenhouse can speed up growth by up to 40%, extend the growing season and strengthen plant resistance. This makes carbon dioxide an effective and ecological growth enhancer.

Dry ice
Dry ice is produced from liquid carbon dioxide, which is solidified into snow and compressed to dry ice at -78,5 °C. It is an efficient and clean cooling and purification method widely used in industry, process industries, laboratories, healthcare, food processing and catering.

In particular, dry ice blasting offers a clean and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional soda and sand blasting methods. Woikoski sells dry ice in both chunk and granular form. You can find out more about dry ice here.

Firefighting
Carbon dioxide is suitable for extinguishing flammable liquids such as petrol. As a heavier gas than air, it displaces oxygen and effectively suppresses a fire without water damage.

Industrial processes
Carbon dioxide is used in the paper and pulp industry and in water and waste water treatment to control pH and optimise processes.

Carbon dioxide as a welding gas
Carbon dioxide can be used for MAG welding, especially in short arc welding. It produces a relatively high weld bubble with a steeper weld interface with the base material than argon/carbon dioxide mixtures. In addition, the amount of combustible spatter adhering to the surface is significantly higher than with argon/carbon dioxide alloys.

Carbon dioxide does not usually achieve a full hot arc region as it starts to decompose at high powers. This means that individual short circuits will always occur. However, carbon dioxide is an inexpensive shielding gas and has its own user community. It is used in particular for welding thin plates such as car body panels. In addition to its low cost, it has the advantage of its “cold welding” property, which reduces the risk of burning through thin material.

Available grades:
Industrial carbon dioxide, high purity carbon dioxide, refrigerant carbon dioxide and food grade carbon dioxide.

Packaging:
Carbon dioxide is available in cylinders, cylinder batteries and dewars.

Medical carbon dioxide:
Find out more about medical carbon dioxide at: woikoskimedical.fi

Gases behave differently depending on their quality and state. Always consult the product’s safety data sheet before using the product. A safety data sheet is a document that conveys information about the properties, risks and safe use of a substance or mixture for industrial or professional use.

Risk of suffocation
An increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air you breathe poses a risk of suffocation. Low concentrations may cause increased respiratory rate and headaches. Asphyxiation occurs unnoticed and can be fatal. Vaporised carbon dioxide is very cold. Heavier than air, it can accumulate in drains and basements and cause elevated levels of carbon dioxide in rooms. The maximum permissible concentration of carbon dioxide in working air is 0.5%.

First aid
A person suffering from oxygen deficiency must be immediately evacuated to fresh air. If the victim is having difficulty breathing or is not breathing, administer artificial respiration as quickly as possible and call for help. When rescuing a victim, it is important to remember not to enter an oxygen-deprived area without breathing equipment.

Frostbite
Liquid carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide vapours and carbon dioxide ice are very cold and cause frostbite on the skin. Touching uninsulated parts of the equipment with bare skin may cause the skin to catch and tear. In the event of an accident, rinse the heavily damaged areas with lukewarm water and seek medical attention.

Unsuitable materials
Certain steels are unsuitable for use at low temperatures because they become brittle and lose their resistance to impact. Materials normally suitable for use at low temperatures are stainless steel, aluminium and their alloys.

Use
– When handling the substance, follow the instructions and safe working practices.
– The gas handler must be properly trained
– Use only carefully checked pressure regulators and other operating equipment suitable for this gas. If in doubt, contact Woikoske.
– Open the valve slowly to avoid pressure shock
– The valve is opened and closed by hand. The use of assistive devices is prohibited!
– It takes about one turn to open the bottle.
– The cylinder in use must be properly secured.
– Keep the valve outlets clean!
– Close the cylinder valve after each use and when the cylinder is empty.
– Always report damaged valves and cylinders to Woikoske.

Transport
– The driver must be aware of the potential dangers of the load and know his duties in the event of accidents and incidents.
– Cylinders of carbon dioxide must be transported in an upright position
– The load must be secured
– The protective hood on the cylinder valve must ALWAYS be in place during transport or even minor movements
– Cylinders must not be knocked, thrown or dropped from the truck platform
– Observe ADR regulations during transport

Storage
– Observe all legal and local requirements for the storage of cylinders.
– Store cylinders in a well-ventilated area
– Cylinders should not be stored in conditions that promote corrosion
– Cylinders are stored upright and secured so that they cannot fall over
– Valve caps of gas cylinders shall be in place during storage
– Empty and full cylinders should be kept separate