This video demonstrates the process of making dry ice from carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The process begins with a large amount of carbon dioxide under high pressure inside a cylinder. As the carbon dioxide is released and rapidly decompresses, it drops significantly in temperature, becoming solid carbon dioxide or "dry ice". This process is similar to what happens in refrigerators and air conditioning systems.
The dry ice is produced in two forms: pellets (approximately 3 millimeters in diameter) and nuggets (16 to 19 millimeters). The majority of the dry ice produced is nuggets. While dry ice is often used in physics experiments, its primary function is to preserve items in environments without refrigeration. It is commonly used in transporting medical supplies, vaccines, and perishable food items.
The carbon dioxide used to produce dry ice is not taken from the air, as some might suggest. Instead, it is extracted from sources like oil, natural gas, or sugar cane. The carbon dioxide is then fed into a machine that rapidly decompresses and cools the carbon dioxide, turning it into dry ice.
Dry ice is difficult to transport due to its sublimation process, where it changes directly from a solid to a gas. To maintain the temperature of the dry ice and minimize this process, the dry ice is often packaged in insulated containers or boxes.
While dry ice is harmless to handle, it is extremely cold and can cause frostbite. It is also important to note that the smoke seen when dry ice sublimates is not carbon dioxide, but microdroplets of water released when the carbon dioxide gasifies. The video concludes with a demonstration of making a smoke-like drink with dry ice, emphasizing that there are no hygiene concerns as the drink remains frozen.
1. Dry ice is made from carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that we release when we breathe .
2. The process starts with a cylinder full of liquid carbon dioxide under high pressure .
3. The carbon dioxide is released and turns into gas when it reaches the machine, causing the temperature to drop significantly .
4. When the carbon dioxide is at minus 78 degrees Celsius, it starts to turn solid .
5. The solid carbon dioxide is then compressed into a form that resembles a pasta machine, which releases it as dry ice .
6. The dry ice machine produces two types of dry ice: pellet or rice, and nugget .
7. Dry ice is used to preserve things where there is no refrigerator, such as transporting a heart for transplant or a vaccine .
8. Dry ice is also used for cleaning difficult parts by removing rust .
9. The carbon dioxide used to make dry ice is not taken from the air. It is extracted from oil, natural gas, or sugar cane .
10. The carbon dioxide that is wasted in the process of making dry ice is recovered and reused .
11. The remaining carbon dioxide comes out of the machine and is stored in a balloon-like structure .
12. Dry ice is difficult to transport as it sublimates, going from the solid state to the gaseous state .
13. Dry ice causes a burn similar to something hot .
14. The smoke produced by dry ice is not carbon dioxide, but microdroplets of water .