Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is a natural component of the atmosphere, comprising approximately 0.03% to 0.04% of the total atmospheric volume. It is abundant in nature and is produced through several pathways:

Decomposition, Fermentation, Decay, and Spoilage: Organic matter, including both plants and animals, releases carbon dioxide during decomposition, fermentation, decay, and spoilage processes.

Combustion of Fossil Fuels: During the combustion of petroleum, paraffin wax, coal, and natural gas, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.

Industrial Processes: Petroleum and coal production in the chemical industry also release carbon dioxide.

Fermentation and Maturation: All feces and humic acid release carbon dioxide during fermentation and maturation.

Respiration: All animals release carbon dioxide when they breathe, consuming oxygen and emitting carbon dioxide.

These natural and industrial processes contribute to the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, influencing various aspects of Earth's ecosystem and human activities.

Gaseous Carbon Dioxide: Used in carbonating soft drinks, pH control in water treatment processes, chemical processing, food preservation, inert protection in chemical and food processing, welding gases, and as a plant growth stimulant. In foundries, it is used for hardening molds and cores, and in pneumatic devices. It is also used as a diluent for sterilizing gases (e.g., ethylene oxide and CO2 mixture) widely applied in sterilizing medical instruments, packaging materials, clothing, fur, bedding, fumigation of warehouses, factories, cultural relics, and books.

Liquid Carbon Dioxide: Used as a refrigerant, in low-temperature tests for aircraft, missiles, and electronic components, enhancing oil well recovery rates, rubber polishing, controlling chemical reactions, and as a fire extinguishing agent.

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Utilized as a solvent for dissolving non-polar, non-ionic, and low molecular weight compounds, extensively applied in homogeneous reactions.

These diverse applications highlight the versatility and importance of carbon dioxide beyond its role as a greenhouse gas in atmospheric chemistry.

Here are several common uses of carbon dioxide:

1. Make a fire extinguisher

Carbon dioxide doesn't support combustion and is denser than air, allowing it to cover flammable materials and isolate them from the air. This makes carbon dioxide effective for extinguishing fires.

2.Artificial Rainmaking

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. In artificial rainmaking, planes disperse dry ice over clouds. As dry ice sublimates, it absorbs a large amount of heat, causing water vapor in the air to condense into small water droplets, which then form rain.

3.Make a refrigerant

At normal temperature and pressure, carbon dioxide is a gas. Under certain pressure, it can condense into a liquid and even a solid. When the pressure is removed, it rapidly evaporates, absorbing a large amount of heat, which provides a cooling effect.

4.Photosynthesis

Green plants absorb sunlight and convert carbon dioxide and water into organic substances, releasing oxygen in the process. This process is called photosynthesis.

5.Industrial raw materials

In industry, carbon dioxide can be used to produce alkali and sugar. It is also used for quenching steel castings and manufacturing white lead.

6.Storage fruits and vegetables

In industry, carbon dioxide can be used to produce alkali and sugar. It is also used for quenching steel castings and manufacturing white lead.

7.Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery and Sequestration

Carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and sequestration involve injecting supercritical carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs. This increases the fluidity of the oil, allowing it to flow more easily and be extracted from the rock formations. At the same time, carbon dioxide replaces the oil and gas, dissolves, and mineralizes, achieving permanent underground storage. Carbon dioxide has promising applications in enhancing the recovery of heavy oil reservoirs, coalbed methane, and natural gas.