AssureCloud is proud to be one of the few labs in SA that offer Carbon Dioxide (CO2) testing – and is playing a critical role in the country’s thriving beverage industry.
Behind the scenes of this booming industry lies a critical factor essential to its success: quality control. Specifically, carbon dioxide (CO2) testing.
Assurecloud offers expert testing services to ensure CO2 purity and detect impurities, adhering strictly to the rigorous standards set by the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT).
The Importance of CO2 Purity
CO2 is obtained as a co-product of various chemical manufacturing processes and must undergo effective purification to meet specific requirements. Different grades of CO2 purity exist, each ensuring the gas meets particular standards for its intended use. Impurities can contaminate products, damage equipment, or compromise food safety and quality.
Carbon dioxide is extensively used across multiple sectors, including industry, medicine, science, and food supply, demanding rigorous testing and safety protocols. In the beverage industry, precise CO2 quality control is crucial, as even minor deviations can significantly impact the final product.
In beverages like soft drinks, sparkling water, and beers, CO2 serves as a direct food additive, enhancing effervescence, acidity, and microbiological stability while ensuring no undesirable flavours, odours, or impurities. To meet these standards, CO2 must undergo thorough purification. The International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) sets guidelines for CO2 quality and purity. Gas suppliers must identify and control trace impurities, while users must ensure suppliers meet these standards.
Ensuring High-Quality CO2
To ensure high-quality CO2, it’s crucial to take proactive steps. Beverage manufacturers will need to request a certificate of purity from suppliers to confirm their CO2 meets the required standards. Regular audits of the CO2-testing supplier’s quality management practices also help maintain consistency.
Assurecloud provides these tests on the CO2 using Analytical Instruments:
Purity
- CO2 Purity – Accredited
Impurities
- Hydrocarbons – Accredited
- Methane
- Ethane
- Ethylene
- Propane
- Propylene
- Isobutane
- Butane
- Isopentane
- pentane
- Total Sulphurs – Accredited
- Hydrogen Sulphide
- Carbonyl Sulphide
- Sulphur Dioxide
- Dimethyl Sulphide
- Taste, Odour and appearance – Non-Accredited
- Taste, Odour and appearance in Liquid and solid CO2
- Nitrogen Compounds – Non-Accredited
- Nitrogen Oxide
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Ammonia
- Non-volatile residue / Non-volatile organic residue – Non-Accredited
- Moisture – Non- Accredited
- Permanent Gases- Accredited
- Hydrogen
- Argon
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon Monoxide
Verify quality through independent ISO-certified laboratories like AssureCloud for third-party testing expertise. Contact AssureCloud for your CO2 purity certification to provide an added layer of assurance that your CO2 meets the highest standards.
