Why Clean by Dry Ice Blasting?
Dry ice blasting is a favorite form of cleaning for many manufacturing industries.
Dry ice is the regular name for solid CO2, which is Carbon-dioxide that is so cold it is in a solid form. When CO2 is in this “frozen” state it is very cold and hard but as it gains heat, it turns back into a gas – a process called sublimation. This is why dry ice is so popular in coolers and for shipping: it is lighter than regular ice and there is no liquid left over after it “melts”. Keeping perishables fresh isn’t the only use for dry ice, however. It is also a great cleaning agent. Read on to learn more about dry ice blasting!
How Is Dry Ice Blasting Done?
Dry ice blasting is a completely accurate name for the process, though other common names for the process include dry ice dusting and environmentally sustainable cleaning. It is a process of cleaning that involves “blasting” small particles of dry ice at a surface using pressurized air. These small chunks of dry ice sort of explode on the surface using both the abrasive action of the blasting and the sublimation of the CO2 as a cleaning agent.
How Does It Clean Surfaces?
Dry ice blasting is similar to other cleaning processes that accelerate material at the surface. Sandblasting, plastic ball blasting, and even pressure washing have a similar cleaning action. Pressure washing has the obvious downside of leaving water behind and wetting whatever is being cleaned. Sandblasting and plastic bead blasting also leave behind material and they are also more abrasive than dry ice, so they can result in damage to the surface.
Does It Cause Issues Or Side Effects?
There are no side effects of dry ice blasting. It doesn’t wet your equipment or leave behind any chemical residue like other solvents. It also doesn’t have any noxious off gassing, since it simply releases CO2, which is a normal part of our atmosphere.
What Other Benefits Are There?
Dry ice blasting is highly recommended in various industries because it is safe, leaving behind no residue or contamination. It is also very cost effective because it can generally be performed without disassembling the structure. This limits both downtime and extra costs.
What Can Dry Ice Remove?
Dry ice blasting can remove most contaminants, including salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. It can also remove by-product build-up, tar, release agents, paint, biofilm, and (yes) dirt.
What Industries Benefit From Dry Ice Cleaning?
Dry ice blasting is ideal for cleaning in many industries, including manufacturing equipment, cooking equipment and tools, electrical or computer components, manufacturing molds, and facility equipment among others.
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 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, Pinterest, and Twitter.
