Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dry Ice and How It’s Made
Dry ice is quite an interesting substance!
Dry ice is one of the coolest, most flexible, and useful things on the planet (okay, maybe we are a little bit biased). Either way, here is a rundown of everything you have ever wanted to know about dry ice and how exactly we produce it.
Dry Ice 101
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. Chances are, you’ve already heard of carbon dioxide. It is found naturally in the atmosphere of earth and we exhale it every day. It is completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Carbon dioxide is transformed from a gas into a solid when it is put under pressure at very low temperatures. It turns into the white solid that you are familiar with at -109 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead of melting like water would, dry ice turns back into its gaseous form through sublimation. This is why dry ice looks like it is steaming or smoking as it makes contact with the air.
Dry Ice Safety
Dry ice is incredibly cold, so maintaining rigorous safety standards is crucial when you use it. It isn’t poisonous, but the solid itself cannot be touched without gloves. You need to ensure proper ventilation in the area you’re using it in, as carbon dioxide is poisonous to humans and animals. When the gas has melted, it will sink to the lowest point in the room or a closed space. Once the amount of carbon dioxide in your air is higher than 5%, you will get carbon dioxide poisoning and feel its effects.
How Do We Make It?
Dry ice is made through a relatively complicated process, including:
- Pumping liquid carbon dioxide into holding tanks and released into tanks into a dry ice press.
- The liquid cools to the freezing point and is inserted in a dry ice press. The dry ice press will put a large amount of pressure on the liquid beneath to press it into a shape.
- The liquid will immediately turn into a solid and then resemble snow. Once the snow is created, the dry ice press will use extreme amounts of pressure to compact it into a firm block.
Dry Ice for All of 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.
