Letter: Observations on sequestration of carbon dioxide

Apr 28, 2023

Carbon dioxide is removed from air and is "Stored" awaiting release or "Use." It is reasonably easy to store as it liquifies at a reasonable pressure and does not require heavy or expensive pressure vessels for storage.

For the period the carbon dioxide is stored, it is not part of the atmosphere.

This is a simple concept; however, I have not seen expression or discussion of same.

The gas taken out of the air is a very small amount of the total planetary air supply. However industrial use of carbon dioxide is worldwide and at any given time tons of it are in storage.

Here are some carbon dioxide uses:

Welding and metal fabrication. It shields arc welds and can cool hot metal without oxidation.

Pressure release applications like portable nailers and air horns.

Soft drinks, every can or bottle of soft drink(s) stored on store shelves contains bubbles which are released when container is open. At this point the gas returns to the atmosphere.

Selzer bottles or soda machines use small pressure tanks to provide carbonization.

Carbon dioxide pellet rifles or pistols.

Fire extinguishers.

Inflatable life jackets.

Model rockets or cars.

Dry ice is made from carbon dioxide. When dry ice melts, carbon dioxide goes back to the atmosphere.

Science labs use carbon dioxide for experiments and education.

Research, on my part, might allow numbers to represent actual volume and time of how long carbon dioxide is out of the environment.

— Bruce Gray, Chico

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