Food Grade Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Compression Solutions

Good grade carbon dioxide is used throughout the food and beverage industry for beverage carbonation, modified-atmosphere packaging, cooling, freezing and other production processes. The CO₂ must meet the quality requirements applicable to its intended use and market.

Compression may be required during CO₂ recovery, processing, intermediate storage and distribution. The compressor increases the gas pressure to the level required by the downstream process while avoiding the introduction of unacceptable contaminants.

Food grade suitability depends on the complete production and supply chain rather than the compressor alone. The incoming CO₂ specification, materials in contact with the gas, sealing systems, lubricants, component cleanliness and downstream treatment must all be considered.

Moisture content is another important engineering parameter. Water can influence gas quality, condensation behavior and material requirements and, in combination with CO₂, increase the potential for corrosion.

With more than 80 years of experience in reciprocating high pressure compressor technology, LMF develops tailor-made compressor solutions for food grade CO₂ applications. Every solution is individually engineered according to the gas specification, pressure and temperature conditions, required capacity and applicable quality requirements.

For broader information about the thermodynamic and technical requirements of CO₂ compression, explore our Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Compression Solutions.

Recommended Compression Solutions by LMF

ISO 13631 Compressors

Recommended for continuous food grade CO₂ applications requiring stable flow rates, controlled operating conditions and project-specific package engineering.

  • Capacity:
    up to 300 Nm³/h
  • Pressure:
    up to 25 bar
  • Power consumption:
    up to 100 kW

Selected References 

Pre-Select a Food Grade CO₂ Compressor with CompXpert

Enter the CO₂ specification, suction and discharge pressures, temperatures, required capacity and operating conditions to estimate key process values, pre-select a suitable LMF compressor model and generate an inquiry for our experts.

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FAQs

Food grade CO₂ is carbon dioxide that meets the purity and quality requirements applicable to its intended food or beverage use. The precise specification depends on the application, customer requirements and relevant regional standards.

Applications include beverage carbonation, modified-atmosphere packaging, cooling and freezing, breweries and selected food-processing operations. Each application can impose different requirements on CO₂ quality and delivery conditions.

No. The compressor increases the pressure of CO₂ supplied at the specified quality. CO₂ production, purification, quality testing and certification are separate processes unless explicitly included in the agreed project scope.

Not automatically. The suitable compressor configuration depends on the required CO₂ specification, process design and applicable quality requirements. Lubrication concept, sealing systems, materials, cleanliness and downstream treatment must be evaluated for the complete system.

Initial engineering requires the complete CO₂ specification, moisture and impurity limits, suction and discharge conditions, required capacity, operating profile, downstream use and applicable food or beverage quality requirements.