CO2 Source

[Benauld]

Hi guys,

Well, I'm still a good deal away from setting up anything yet, but I'm using my time wisely to do lots of research. Whilst I was looking at possible CO2 sources I came across something called "food grade" CO2.

Does anyone know exactly how this differs from the CO2 in fire extinguishers, etc? Is there a difference in quality, and if so, is this negligible?

 

[doylecolmdoyle]

Food grade co2 has less impurities, I think the gas used in fire extinguishers etc is 99% pure and then the food grade stuff is 99.9 or something, food grade is used in beer brewing etc, you can use either for the planted tank.

 

[rebel]

is this negligible?

Yes.

 

[Benauld]

Thanks for the replies!

It does make me wonder what those impurities are though... I'll have to do a bit more digging when I have time.

 

[mow said]

I use 5 years expired fire extinguisher works fine lol

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

It does make me wonder what those impurities are though... I'll have to do a bit more digging when I have time

They are usually some combination of nitrogen, ammonia, benzene, oxygen, argon and carbon monoxide, but all in absolute trace amounts. This link, to ammonia production, explains how the <"CO2 is produced during the Haber process">.

.....a solution of an ethanolamine, often 2,2'-(methylimino)bis-ethanol (N-methyl diethanolamine).

The carbon dioxide is released on heating the solution in the carbon dioxide stripper. Much of it is liquefied and sold, for example, for carbonated drinks, as a coolant for nuclear power stations and for promoting the growth of plants in <"greenhouses">.......

I think that even industrial grade CO2 is 99.5% pure.

cheers Darrel

 

[Benauld]

Thank you for the detailed response Darrel, although I'm not sure I understand much of the information in your link!

Benzene and carbon monoxide? That kind of sounds like tobacco smoke!

Thank you everyone for the advice