FAQ – DRY ICE BLASTING:
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 sandblasting, grit blasting and soda blasting in that it uses a medium accelerated in a pressurized air stream to prepare and clean surfaces. The difference is that dry ice cleaning uses recycled solid carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) pellets or particles that are blasted at supersonic speeds and sublimate on impact to remove dirt and contaminants from the substrate beneath.
The process is non-abrasive, non-conductive, non-flammable and non-toxic. It is also chemical-free, water-free and does not create a secondary waste stream. When dry ice hits the surface being cleaned, it sublimates or changes from a solid CO 2 phase to a gaseous CO 2.
How does dry ice blasting work?
There are three main factors that affect the dry ice cleaning process. These factors are the kinetic energy of the particles, the thermal shock effect and the thermodynamic effect. To explain the process more easily, we have created the following acronym (ICE).
Impact – The impact of the particles creates a kinetic effect. Compressed air accelerates the soft dry ice at supersonic speed through specially designed nozzles.
Cold – The low temperature of the dry ice pellets creates a thermal effect. The temperature of the dry ice (-109°F / -78.9°C) causes the contaminant to become brittle. This helps to break the bond between the substrate and the contaminant.
Expansion – The expansion of dry ice pellets. Dry ice pellets sublimate on impact, expanding in volume and removing contaminants.
What are the benefits of dry ice blasting?
Because of its unique properties, dry ice has many advantages that make it a more attractive cleaning solution than alternatives. Benefits include.
- Cleaning equipment in place with little or no disassembly
- Dry cleaning without the use of water or chemicals
- Reduced downtime associated with cleaning
- Cleaning without secondary waste
- Improved product quality and reduced scrap
- Eliminate equipment wear and tear
- An environmentally sustainable cleaning method
What do I need to start dry ice blasting?
Dry ice blasting requires a simple setup. Along with your dry ice blasting machine, the system will be equipped with the blasting and air hoses, applicators and nozzles that are best suited for your application.
The only other items required for the operating system are:
- Compressed air source (plant air or air compressor)
- Power supply
- Dry ice supply
If you are using a portable diesel compressor as your air source, an aftercooler may be useful. The aftercooler removes most of the moisture from the system and cools the air to within 15°F (-9.4°C) of the ambient air. This depends largely on the humidity level.
Where can I buy dry ice?
Most of our customers purchase dry ice pellets or blocks from industrial gas suppliers, welding supply companies and other regional or local suppliers. Dry ice can be purchased on an as-needed basis, or regular deliveries can be arranged to your facility. Regular delivery trucks covering a 100-mile radius are available in most major metropolitan areas. Dry ice can also be shipped using common carriers and delivered in insulated containers.
For manufacturers who regularly require large quantities of dry ice or work in remote areas, we recommend considering a dry ice production machine to meet the high demand.
How much does dry ice cost?
Dry ice is a commodity, and prices vary by region.
Are there safety precautions for dry ice blasting?
When working with CO 2, precautions must always be taken to ensure that the area is adequately ventilated and that the proper PPE is used when handling CO 2 in liquid or solid form (dry ice).
Wear appropriate protective devices such as earplugs, glasses, gloves and open-toed shoes when operating a dry ice blaster
Can dry ice blasting remove paint?
While dry ice blasting is effective in removing failing paint and weakly bonded paint, dry ice is a mild-medium, and in some applications, the use of dry ice alone is not always successful. There are many variables that determine the success of dry ice blasting, such as the adhesion of the paint and the type of paint and primer. Depending on the application, even high-pressure dry ice blasting can be too slow, too mild or ineffective.
Will dry ice blasting remove rust?
Dry ice blasting alone will remove any loosely adhered rust, surface rust, oxidation and salt (SP 6), but it will not remove deeply adhered or pitting oxidation. Due to the non-abrasive nature of dry ice, it is not sufficient to create contoured or white metal finishes.
Will dry ice blasting kill mold?
When following IAQA standards, dry ice blasting removes 99.9% of mold spores faster than traditional cleaning methods. The process eliminates timely manual cleaning without secondary waste, resulting in reduced mold remediation time, lower total labor costs and project time. The dry ice blasting process uses no chemicals and is able to deodorize the affected area.
Does dry ice blasting leave a residue?
Dry ice blasting leaves no residue or waste. Dry ice sublimates on impact with the surface being cleaned, creating no secondary waste, residue or moisture. This eliminates additional cleanup, disposal of secondary waste streams and additional cleaning preparation, such as masking delicate sensors or wrapping electronic components prior to cleaning. This significantly reduces the duration of cleaning projects and the resulting downtime.
Eliminating secondary waste also allows the equipment to be cleaned both in-line and while still in operation.
FAQ – AUTOOL HTS708 Dry Ice Cleaning Machine:
Q1.What size and form of dry ice required to use on the machine?
A: We recommend using preferably 3 mm dry ice pellets and up to 8 mm dry ice pellets.
Q2.How many PSI does the machine need to run properly?
A: Above 90PSI
Q3: Any suggestion for the compressor?
A:We suggest you use a 1.5m³/min compressor which with a 300L air tank to supply the air pressure and store air pressure in the air tank.
Q4: Does the machine run on single phase?
A: No,it doesn’t run on single phase.The socket must to connect with earth wire.
Q5: How long is the blasting hose?
A: 3.3 meter.
Q6: What cfm the machie run on?
A: Above 1.5m³/min.
Q7: What is the connection of air inlet?
A: 15mm.
Q8: What sizes are the blast nozzles?
A: They are 5mm and 6mm.
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