Liquid CO2 and Water

 

This video shows liquid carbon dioxide and water under high pressure in a high-pressure view cell. First, water is introduced into the cell and then CO2 gas. CO2 is added until the pressure condenses the gas into a liquid layer on top of the water. The two liquid layers should be clearly evident by 1:45 in the video. Then the view cell is heated to about 37 C. As the temperature increases the CO2 layer decreases as the CO2 is vaporized, causing the pressure to increase. At 8:00, the camera is lowered to provide a different view angle through the liquid. Then the CO2 is vented from the cell, causing the liquid to bubble violently. At the end of the video, you can see CO2 bubbles forming in the water, just like in a carbonated beverage. This video was created in the Critical Fluids Technology and Separations Center in the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Arkansas, which is directed by Dr. Jerry King. This video was created for educational purposes.