Frequently Asked Questions
What is dry ice blasting?
Dry ice blasting, or dry ice cleaning, is an environmentally sustainable cleaning and surface preparation technique.
It is similar to sand, bead and soda blasting in that it prepares and cleans surfaces using a media accelerated in a pressurized air stream. It differs in that dry ice cleaning uses recycled solid carbon dioxide (CO2) pellets or MicroParticles, which are blasted at supersonic speeds and sublimate on impact, lifting dirt and contaminants off the underlying substrate.
The process is non-abrasive, non-conductive, non-flammable, and non-toxic. It is also chemical free, water free and does not create secondary waste streams. The dry ice sublimates, or phase transitions from solid CO2 to gaseous CO2, when it impacts the surface being cleaned.
It is similar to sand, bead and soda blasting in that it prepares and cleans surfaces using a media accelerated in a pressurized air stream. It differs in that dry ice cleaning uses recycled solid carbon dioxide (CO2) pellets or MicroParticles, which are blasted at supersonic speeds and sublimate on impact, lifting dirt and contaminants off the underlying substrate.
The process is non-abrasive, non-conductive, non-flammable, and non-toxic. It is also chemical free, water free and does not create secondary waste streams. The dry ice sublimates, or phase transitions from solid CO2 to gaseous CO2, when it impacts the surface being cleaned.
How does dry ice blasting work?
There are three primary factors that contribute to the dry ice cleaning process. The factors are Pellet Kinetic Energy, the Thermal Shock Effect, and the Thermal-Kinetic Effect. In order to more easily explain the process, we have created the following acronym (ICE).
Impact – Impact of pellets creates a Kinetic Energy Effect. The soft dry ice is accelerated by compressed air through specially designed nozzles at supersonic speeds.
Cold – Cold temperature of dry ice pellets creates a Thermal Effect. The temperature of dry ice (-109°F ) causes the contaminant to embrittle. This helps break the bond between the substrate and the contaminant.
Expansion – Expansion of the dry ice pellets. Dry ice pellets sublimate upon impact, volumetrically expanding in size, removing the contaminant.
Impact – Impact of pellets creates a Kinetic Energy Effect. The soft dry ice is accelerated by compressed air through specially designed nozzles at supersonic speeds.
Cold – Cold temperature of dry ice pellets creates a Thermal Effect. The temperature of dry ice (-109°F ) causes the contaminant to embrittle. This helps break the bond between the substrate and the contaminant.
Expansion – Expansion of the dry ice pellets. Dry ice pellets sublimate upon impact, volumetrically expanding in size, removing the contaminant.
Will it damage my paint?
Yes and No....
Dry ice cleaning is a gentle method that preserves the integrity of your vehicle’s surfaces. While it won’t harm most materials, it’s essential to consider the sensitivity of specific car paints or coatings. some car paints or coatings may be more sensitive than others. failing or poorly prepped surfaces that have been painted on your vehicle have a higher chance of removing paint than with OEM painted parts.
What happens to the contaminants?
It is transferred from an unwanted area to a place where it can be more easily “taken care of”.
When dealing with dry contaminants that have fallen on the ground (or a plastic sheet), one can effectively clean them using either a broom or a vacuum cleaner When dealing with thick substances like grease, a systematic approach is essential. High-pressure cleaning is recommended. Cryogenic blasting occurs from point A to point B, directing the contaminant toward the pickup location (B)
When dealing with dry contaminants that have fallen on the ground (or a plastic sheet), one can effectively clean them using either a broom or a vacuum cleaner When dealing with thick substances like grease, a systematic approach is essential. High-pressure cleaning is recommended. Cryogenic blasting occurs from point A to point B, directing the contaminant toward the pickup location (B)
What are the benefits of dry ice blasting?
Due to the unique characteristics of dry ice, it has many benefits that make it a more attractive cleaning solution than alternatives. The benefits include:
1. Cleaning equipment in place with little or no disassembly 2. Dry cleaning with no water or chemicals3. Reducing downtime associated with cleaning4. Cleaning without secondary waste5. Improving product quality and reducing scrap6. Eliminating equipment wear and tear7. An environmentally sustainable cleaning method
1. Cleaning equipment in place with little or no disassembly 2. Dry cleaning with no water or chemicals3. Reducing downtime associated with cleaning4. Cleaning without secondary waste5. Improving product quality and reducing scrap6. Eliminating equipment wear and tear7. An environmentally sustainable cleaning method
Will dry ice blasting remove rust?
Dry ice blasting alone will remove any loosely adhered rust, surface rust, oxidation, and salts (SP 6), but it will not remove the deeply adhered or pitted oxidation. Due to the non-abrasive characteristics of dry ice, it is not aggressive enough to create a profile or a white metal finish.
Can dry ice blasting kill mold?
Dry ice blasting removes 99.9% of mold spores faster than traditional cleaning methods when IAQA standards are followed. The process eliminates timely manual cleaning and does not create secondary waste, which reduces mold remediation time and reduces total labor costs and project time. The dry ice blasting process does not utilize chemicals and has the ability to deodorize affected areas.
Does dry ice blasting leave a residue?
Dry ice blasting does not leave residue or waste. Dry ice sublimates upon impact with the surface being cleaned, which results in no secondary waste, no residue, and no introduction of moisture. This eliminates extra cleanup, disposal of secondary waste streams, and additional cleaning preparation, such as masking delicate sensors or wrapping electronic components before cleaning. This significantly reduces the duration of cleaning projects and the resulting shutdowns.
Elimination of secondary waste also allows equipment to be cleaned while online and still operating.
Elimination of secondary waste also allows equipment to be cleaned while online and still operating.