The Future of Cleaning Is Here
Dry ice blasting is a relatively new cleaning process using solid Co2 pellets (known as dry ice). It is primarily used for industrial use in a variety of applications. The pellets sublimate (convert directly from a solid blast pellet to a Co2 vapor) leaving no residue, hazardous waste or toxic fumes. Today, the dry ice method of cleaning is quickly becoming favored for environmental as well as production reasons. Because of tremendous environmental regulations, industry has need to minimize wastes. Further, there is a growing consciousness that many are placing now on the global environmental impact of their production practices. However, these benefits are accentuated due to the tremendous performance gains through dry ice blasting -- little or no production downtime, quality of clean and minimized damaged to equipment.
WHAT IS DRY ICE
Dry ice pellets are made by taking liquid carbon dioxide (Co2) from a pressurized storage tank and expanding it at ambient pressure to produce snow. The snow is then compressed through a die to make hard pellets. The dry ice, although hard in appearance, does not rely on its abrasive properties for effective cleaning.
WHAT IS DRY ICE BLASTING
It is a process in which dry ice particles are propelled to supersonic speed, to impact and clean a surface. The particles are accelerated by compressed air, just as with other blasting systems.
The micro-thermal shock (caused by the dry ice temperature of -79º C), the kinetic energy of dry ice pellets and the air pressure break the bond between the coating and the substrate. It pops off the coating from inside out and the air stream removes it from the surface.
Industries can utilize the dry ice blasting cleaning method through equipment that fires the pellets through a blasting gun. Upon impact the dry ice sublimates (vaporizes). There are many major benefits to this cleaning process. To read of them in detail, click here to open pdf. Dry ice blasting benefits can be broken down into six general areas. Download pdf for a listing of the 6 benefits in detail.
THE PROCESS
Dry ice blasting is similar to conventional shot blasting except that the shot is replaced by pellets of dry ice which literally disappear as soon as the cleaning cycle is complete. The dry ice particles are propelled to supersonic speed, to impact and clean a surface. The particles are accelerated by compressed air, available from standard industrial compressors. Follow this link to read more about the Dry Ice Blasting Process Steps
DUAL HOSE VS. SINGLE HOSE
The basic difference is the resulting blasting aggression. Which system is right for you may vary with your application. But in most cases single hose (SH) systems provide far better cleaning and flexibility. The dual hose (DH) technology uses the Venturi effect to accelerate the particles.
The Mighty E is an ideal small (one man type) contractor choice while the IS77S is ideal for plant operators who use the dry ice blasting (DIB) in plant environment. Check out our machinery section for detailed information on all our dry ice blasting products.
DRY ICE BLASTING COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL METHODS
The following two charts give a helpful perspective of how dry ice blasting compares with the traditional cleaning methods -- sand, blasting, solvents, and others.
View Blast Cleaning Comparison Chart
View Cleaning Method Comparison Chart
THE APPLICATION OF DRY ICE BLASTING TECHNOLOGY
The use of solvents, sand blasting and a few other cleaning methods have been found inferior to dry ice blasting for a variety of reasons. Click here to download a pdf detailing the Applications for Dry Ice Blasting.
