USAGE OF DRY ICE IN DRY ICE BLASTING

Dry ice blasting is a relatively new cleaning process using solid 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 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 needed 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.

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. When the pellets impact on a substrate with a tightly bonded layer of surface contamination, or unwanted coating, the dry ice creates a layer between the substrate and the surface layer. Once between the surface layer and the substrate, the pellets complete their sublimation creating a large volume of Co2 gas which rapidly expands. The process provides a dry and abrasion free clean, and because the pellet media sublimates immediately upon impact (turns from a solid to a gas), there is no secondary waste disposal necessary.

Why is Dry Ice Blast cleaning so effective?

Kinetic Energy: As with traditional methods, the velocity and mass of the media upon impact transfers the required energy to the surface being cleaned. Whilst this principle is, traditionally, responsible for the majority of work in blast cleaning, it only reflects one aspect of Dry Ice Blast Cleaning.

Thermal Differential: The surface temperature of Dry Ice upon impacting the substrate surface is -78.6oC. The temperature differential established promotes contraction and expansion, which aids the removal process.

Reverse Fracturing: The Dry Ice particles sublimate immediately upon impact and enter through the spaces behind the contaminant at more than 550 times their original volume, pushing it cleanly away from the surface being cleaned.

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:.

*Each of these blast cleaning materials becomes contaminated upon contact if used to clean hazardous objects. When that happens, these materials are then classified as toxic waste requiring safe disposal.

The above chart compares the various methods of cleaning with the dry Ice blasting. Each type of cleaning finds usage in specific industries.

APPLICATIONS:

Dry ice blast cleaning applications are available to a multitude of industries offering tremendous value. In addition to the general benefits mentioned, dry ice blasting has specific benefits to some of the following industries:

Benefits Of DRY ICE BLASTING :

1 - Decreased Downtime through Cleaning In-Place
2 - Faster and More Thorough Cleaning
3 - Elimination of Equipment Damage
4 - Reduction or Elimination of Solvents
5 - Reductions in Waste Disposal
6 - Increased Safety