|
What is Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice blast cleaning is a system that uses small rice size pellets of dry ice (CO2) and accelerates them using compressed air towards a surface to be cleaned.
The freezing temperature of the dry ice (-78.5°C or -109.3°F) being blasted against the material to be removed, causes it to decrease and releases adhesion from its sub surface. Additionally when the dry ice penetrates the material to be removed, it comes in contact with the underlying surface. The sub surface being warmer causes the dry ice to convert back into CO2 (carbon dioxide gas)
CO2 gas has 800 times greater volume and expands behind the material upon impact quickening its removal. mold, paint, oil, grease, asphalt, tar, decals, soot, dirt, ink, resins, and adhesives are some of the many materials removed by this procedure. Only the material that has been removed must be disposed of, the dry ice evaporates into the atmosphere.
Back to Top
3-Step Blasting Process
Kinetic Energy Transfer
Dry Ice Pellets (CO2) are accelerated out of the blasting gun at supersonic speeds using compressed air.
Energy transferred from the dry ice pellets to the contaminated surface knocks off any stains without abrasion.
This impact energy is the primary means of cleaning.
Thermal Shock Effect
The freezing temperature of the dry ice pellets (-79º C) hitting the contaminant causes a micro-thermal shock
between the surface contaminate and the substrate. Cracking and splitting of the contaminant occurs, furthering the elimination process.
Expansion Pressure
In the final phase of blasting the dry ice pellets will create a micro explosion on impact. The dry ice is then converted by warmth into a harmless CO2 gas which expands to nearly 800 times the volume of the original pellet.
The contaminant is lifted by the CO2 from behind and the particles are carried away from the surface. Since the dry ice has evaporated into harmless CO2 the only thing left for disposal is the contaminant which can be easily swept or vacuumed away.
Back to Top
Top Ten Reasons
- 1. Environmentally Clean & Friendly – Approved by the USDA, FDA and EPA
- 2. Decreased Downtime – Machines can be cleaned in place and oftentimes while running
- 3. Advanced Cleaning Results – Cleans dirt and grime and contaminants thoroughly
- 4. Non Toxic – Food grade dry ice, won’t harm people, animals or plants
- 5. Doesn’t leave Secondary Waste – No run off of soda, water, sand. Dry ice dissipates into air
- 6. Operator Safe – No exposure to chemicals
- 7. Non-Abrasive – Will not damage machines or electrical components
- 8. Fast & Efficient – Fewer cleaning cycles, more runtime
- 9. In Place Cleaning – Requires no disassembly and reassembly
- 10. Cost Efficient – Tremendous labour time and energy savings
Back to Top
Dry Ice vs Alternatives
|
