How Dry Ice is Manufactured for Usage
The dry ice manufacturing process is very detail-oriented.
We’re a bit biased, but we have to admit, making dry ice is very cool. If you have ever wondered exactly how carbon dioxide, typically observed as a gas – turns into some of the coldest commercial goods ever, you are in the right place. Grab a bit of popcorn and take a seat to learn a little bit more about the dry ice manufacturing process. Your mind will be blown!
Dry Ice Manufacturing, a Look into the Industry
It all begins with pressurized liquid carbon dioxide in bulk storage units, hanging out around 300 psi of total pressure. To start the dry ice manufacturing process, the liquid CO2 passes through an expansion valve into an empty chamber. Here, the shift to a more normal atmospheric pressure flash-changes the liquid into a gas. This change makes the temperature drop very rapidly, and about 46% of all the gas will immediately freeze into dried ice snow. The rest of the gas will either escape or is then collected to be recycled. The snow is then compressed into blocks or pellets for the customer to use. The more dense the pieces are packed, the slower it will sublimate, and the easier it’ll be to handle and ship, and the better it will be for dry ice blast cleaning.
The Handy Dry Ice Tools
In the small world of dry ice manufacturing, there are two types of machines you will meet. The first one is the block-maker/compressor. It is capable of making a solid block weighing around 220 pounds. That block is then cut up into four, more manageable blocks of about 55 pounds each, measuring around 11 cubic inches. Newer versions of these machines are capable of making a 50-pound of even 10-pond block.
Then there is the pellet-maker, from smaller than an eighth of an inch for ice blast cleaning to three-quarters of an inch for any other purposes. Again, a few newer machines can compress and pelletize, which removes a decent amount of extra labor on our end.
DIY Dry Ice Manufacturing
You know the drill with DIY activities. Just make sure you are taking the right safety precautions. But if the process seems too hard, just give us a call today! The Dry Ice Corp can help you with anything dry ice-related. We will gladly pack and ship it your way too!
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.
