An Airtight Case for Dry Ice Explosions

Dry ice can be used for keeping items insulated or for making fun explosions. However you use it, make sure to stay safe.

Dry ice is a valuable commodity for professions needing a way to transport goods such as pathology specimens, ice cream, and more. Dry ice is famous for its special fog effects for Halloween and even in theater productions. It can be vital to an experiment, a business, or to have some fun. However, never put it in an airtight case.

Dry Ice Sublimation

Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide, the gas’s solid form. It is so cold that one must wear heavy, protective gloves to handle it. Dry ice does not last that long, though, losing about 5 to 10 pounds of itself every 24 hours. This process is called sublimation, where the frozen carbon dioxide transforms directly from a solid to a gas. Because carbon dioxide gas is continually leaking from the dry ice block or pellets, a user needs to keep dry ice in an insulated but not airtight container.

Dry Ice Explosions

There has been quite a handful of dry ice malfunctions due to airtight containers. Dry ice has made the headlines on not a few occasions. Exploding coolers and water bottles at laboratories, airports, amusement parks, and classrooms have alerted concern throughout at least the last two decades. Sometimes no one gets hurt at all. Sometimes an injury can be catastrophic. Even when there is no explosion, the high level of carbon dioxide in the air can render people within the contained space, like a car, unconscious or even cause death. The news on dry ice explosions caused by accident has plenty of examples.

Dry Ice Bomb

However, this doesn’t mean that one cannot make dry ice bombs for fun. Plastic water bottles, balloons, pumpkins, and watermelons are a few receptacles for dry ice to create spectacular explosions. Dry ice can create a huge impact, shooting into the air many feet. Open spaces are a good option for a cool dry ice experiment. Some even place sealed dry ice in swimming pools. The fun possibilities are endless with properly handled dry ice explosions.

Dry Ice For All Your Needs

Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.