CO2 (Dry ice) Blasting

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Cold Jet dry ice blasting is an efficient and cost-effective way for industries to maximize production
capability and quality.

What is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting is similar to sand blasting, plastic bead blasting, or soda blasting where a medium is
accelerated in a pressurized air stream to impact a surface to be cleaned or prepared. But that's where
the similarity ends.

Instead of using hard abrasive media to grind on a surface (and damage it), dry ice blasting uses soft dry
ice, accelerated at supersonic speeds, and creates mini-explosions on the surface to lift the undesirable
item off the underlying substrate. If you want to read all the technical details, see the How CO2 Blasting
Works page.

Dry ice blasting has many unique and superior benefits over traditional blasting media.
Dry ice blasting:

is a non-abrasive, nonflammable and nonconductive cleaning method

is environmentally-friendly and contains no secondary contaminants such as solvents or grit

media

is clean and approved for use in the food industry

allows most items to be cleaned in place without time-consuming disassembly

can be used without damaging active electrical or mechanical parts or creating fire hazards

can be used to remove production residues, release agents, contaminants, paints, oils and
biofilms

can be as gentle as dusting smoke damage from books or as aggressive as removing weld slag
from tooling

can be used for many general cleaning applications

Cold Jet dry ice blasting uses compressed air to accelerate frozen carbon dioxide (CO2) "dry ice" pellets
to a high velocity. A compressed air supply of 80 PSI/50 scfm can be used in this process. Dry ice pellets
can be made on-site or supplied. Pellets are made from food grade carbon dioxide that has been
specifically approved by the FDA, the EPA and the USDA.
Carbon dioxide is a non-poisonous, liquefied gas, which is both inexpensive and easily stored at work
sites.

How does CO2 Blasting Work?

See how dry ice blasting technology works.
CO2 blasting works because of three primary factors: pellet kinetic energy, thermal shock effect and
thermal-kinetic effect. Cold Jet optimizes blast performance for each application by combining these
forces and adjusting:

compressed air pressure

blast nozzle type (velocity distribution)

CO2 pellet size and density

pellet mass rate and flux density (particles per unit area per second)

Pellet Kinetic Energy

The Cold Jet process incorporates high velocity (supersonic) nozzles for surface preparation and coating
removal applications. Since kinetic impact force is a product of the pellet mass and velocity over time, the
Cold Jet delivery system achieves the greatest impact force possible from a solid CO2 pellet by propelling
the pellets to the highest velocities attainable in the blasting industry.
Even at high impact velocities and direct head-on impact angles, the kinetic effect of solid CO2 pellets is
minimal when compared to other media (grit, sand, PMB). This is due to the relative softness of a solid
CO2, which is not as dense and hard, as other projectile media. Also, the pellet changes phase from a
solid to a gas almost instantaneously upon impact, which effectively provides an almost nonexistent
coefficient of restitution in the impact equation. Very little impact energy is transferred into the coating or
substrate, so the Cold Jet blasting process is considered to be nonabrasive.

Thermal Shock Effect

Instantaneous sublimation (phase change from solid to gas) of CO2 pellet upon impact absorbs maximum
heat from the very thin top layer of surface coating or contaminant. Maximum heat is absorbed due to
latent heat of sublimation.
The very rapid transfer of heat into the pellet from the coating top layer creates an extremely large
temperature differential between successive micro-layers within the coating. This sharp thermal gradient
produces localized high shear stresses between the micro-layers. The shear stresses produced are also
dependent upon the coating thermal conductivity and thermal coefficient of expansion / contraction, as
well as the thermal mass of the underlying substrate. The high shear produced over a very brief expanse
of time causes rapid micro-crack propagation between the layers leading to contamination and/or coating
final bond failure at the surface of the substrate.

Thermal-Kinetic Effect
The combined impact energy dissipation and extremely rapid heat transfer between the pellet and the
surface cause instantaneous sublimation of the solid CO2 into gas. The gas expands to nearly 800 times
the volume of the pellet in a few milliseconds in what is effectively a "Micro-explosion" at the point of
impact.
The "Micro-explosion," as the pellet changes to gas, is further enhanced for lifting thermally-fractured
coating particles from the substrate. This is because of the pellet's lack of rebound energy, which tends to
distribute its mass along the surface during the impact. The CO2 gas expands outward along the surface
and its resulting "explosion shock front" effectively provides an area of high pressure focused between the
surface and the thermally fractured coating particles. This results in a very efficient lifting force to carry the
particles away from the surface.

Q: What is dry ice?

A: Dry Ice is the solid form of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). CO2 is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas
found naturally in our atmosphere.

Q: What is dry ice blasting?

A: Dry ice blasting is similar to sand blasting, bead blasting, or soda blasting where a media is
accelerated in a pressurized air stream (or other inert gas) to impact and clean a surface. Read
more about Dry Ice Blasting here.

Q: How do I store dry ice?

A: Dry Ice should be stored in an insulated container. The thicker the insulation, the slower it will
sublimate. Depending on the climate and thickness of your container, typical dry ice sublimation is
approximately 2% to 10% per day.

Q: Why would I use dry ice instead of a traditional blast media?

A: Most other blast media leave secondary waste behind. Dry ice sublimates (vaporizes) upon
impact with the surface. All that remains is the contaminate you are removing. Also, since dry ice
vaporizes on impact, the process can be used to clean complicated cavities where typical grit blast
media will become trapped.

Q: How does the process work?

A: Unlike other blast media, dry ice has a temperature of -109F (-78.3C). Because of the
temperature difference between the dry ice particles and the surface being treated, thermal shock
occurs during the process of dry ice blasting. This causes a breakdown of the bond between two
dissimilar materials.

Q: What happens to the contaminate?

A: Contaminates can be dry, wet, hard or soft. Dry contaminates will break up into small chips
and can be swept up or vacuumed. If the particles are large enough, they do not become airborne.
If the contaminate is wet, such as grease or oils, the Cold Jet stream will move or push the liquid
away much like a high pressure water stream would, except that the surface where the
contaminate was will be dry and clean. To prevent redeposition, the operator should work in a
methodical way, from the top down.

Q: Do the contaminates or dry ice pellets ricochet?

A: Upon impact, dry ice pellets sublimate to a gaseous state and therefore dry ice particles
typically do not ricochet. The removed contaminant is usually washed away by the blast jet stream
and does not come directly back into the blast gun vicinity; however, safety glasses must be worn
at all times during the operation of the machine.

Q: Will dry ice blasting damage the substrate?

A: The Cold Jet dry ice blasting process will not damage the substrate. The size of the dry ice
pellets and their velocity can be optimized to remove the contaminate while being non-abrasive to
the substrate. The Cold Jet process can clean delicate chrome or nickel plated tools, soft
aluminum or brass alloys, wire insulation, and even circuit boards without causing damage.

Q: Can you use Cold Jet dry ice blasting to clean hot tools online?

A: Yes. In fact, dry ice blasting cleans faster when the substrate is hot.

Q: Does dry ice blasting cool the substrate?

A: Yes, but not dramatically. The amount of cooling depends on the substrate material, the dwell
time of the dry ice blast stream, and the dry ice usage. For example, a 30 inch (76.2 cm) by 30 inch
(76.2 cm) rubber mold may have an initial temperature of 325F (162.8C). After the tool has been
blasted clean (approximately 12 minutes), the temperature of the mold is about 300F (148.9C).

Q: Will the temperature drop damage the hot mold?

A: Generally, no. The temperature change of the surface being cleaned is small and the
corresponding tensile stress will be well below the point of what most molds will encounter during
normal heat treatment.

Q: Will the process create condensation?

A: Condensation occurs when the temperature of the substrate falls below the dew point. The
dew point varies with climate and the daily weather patterns. When cleaning hot substrates,
condensation will rarely occur because the temperature of the surface will stay above the dew
point. If condensation does form, you can control it by using heaters, heat lamps, or blow off
devices.

Q: What equipment will I need for my cleaning application?

A: The dry ice blast system will come complete with blast and air hose, applicator and nozzle
best suited for your application and a training CD to reference and train staff. The only other items
needed to operate your Cold Jet Dry Ice blast system are plant air, electric power from a common
wall receptacle, and dry ice pellets or block (depending on the system).

Q: How much air will I need?

A: A typical Cold Jet dry ice blast system operates at 80 psi (5.5 bar) with 150 scfm (4.25
m3/min), however your needs wil depend on your application. Low flow nozzles are available,
which require only 50 scfm (1.42 m3/min) at 80 psi (5.5 bar).

Q: Where can I find dry ice pellets, nuggets and/or block?

A: Dry ice pellets, nuggets and/or block are available worldwide. In the United States, call +1800-SEND-ICE (+1-800-736-3423) or +1-513-831-3211, and in Europe call +32 (0)2 467 4101 for
the location nearest you.

Q: How portable are the dry ice blasting machines?

A: One pearson can easily roll any of the machines around the plant floor without any special
equipment.

Q: Is it safe to use dry ice blasting outside?

A: Yes. CO2 dry ice is safe to use in outdoor blasting applications. In fact, many organizations
have given Cold Jet their stamp of approval for the use of dry ice in outdoor blasting applications,
including the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Q: How much dry ice should I expect to use?

A: The amount of dry ice needed to clean effectively can vary dramatically with each dry ice blast
system and cleaning application. The average ice consumption for Cold Jet dry ice blast equipment
is approximately 2 1/2 lbs (1.1 kg) per minute.

Q: Will I need an after-cooler?

A: After-cooler may be useful if you are a contract cleaner or restoration contractor using a
portable diesel compressor as your air source. An after-cooler provides assurance that the Cold Jet
dry ice blaster will not blast any moisture from the diesel compressor being used. This is primarily
dependant on humidity levels.
Your sales representative will be able to assess your needs and recommend the proper system
configuration to ensure your productivity is maximized with moisture-free delivery of dry ice from
your Cold Jet dry ice blast system.

Q: How much maintenance is required to maintain my system?

A: Very little. Cold Jet dry ice blast systems are designed to provide years of trouble-free use with
a minimum amount of maintenance. Each system comes with an operator manual that outlines
recommended routine maintenance - periodically checking filters and examining hoses for cracks
are two examples.

Q: Is it okay to blast in an enclosed area?

A: Yes, with proper ventilation. Because CO2 is 40% heavier than air, placement of exhaust vents
at or near ground level is recommended when blasting in an enclosed area. In an open
environment, existing ventilation is sufficient to prevent undue CO2 buildup. Even though CO2 is
non-poisonous, it does displace oxygen in the atmosphere.

Q: What are the primary safety issues when dry ice blasting?

A: One safety issue is to protect workers from moving parts. Cold Jet equipment is designed so
that workers do not have access to moving parts without shutting down the system.
Another concern is the temperature of the dry ice. At -109F (-78.3C), we recommend wearing
gloves when coming in contact with the dry ice. Eye and ear protection should be worn at all times.

Q: How loud is the system?

A: Noise is a function of air volume and air velocity. Within the nozzle, the stationary air is
sheared by the high velocity air causing turbulence which creates noise. With appropriate hearing
protection an operator can safely operate the system all day.

Q: What is the difference between a single-hose system and a dual-hose system?

A: With a dual-hose blast system, the dry ice travels in one hose and the high pressure air in
another. They are not mixed until just before they exit the nozzle.
Single-hose blast systems mix the high pressure air and the dry ice from the time it leaves the
machine. Single-hose systems can at times be the better choice when needing a more aggressive
clean.

Q: How do I know if I want pellets or shaved block particle blasting systems?

A: The smaller shaved particles have an advantage when removing most paints or when cleaning
equipment with intricate geometries or tiny openings such as microvents or screens. Pellets are
more suitable when removing thick contaminants - as the larger mass behind each individual pellet
is better able to penetrate the contaminant and create the shockwave necessary to disbond it.

Applications

AC/DC Motor Cleaning

Armature
Circuit Breaker
Field Frame
Rotor
Substation Isolator & Bushing
Switch Gear
Transformer
Turbine

Benefits

Non-Abrasive Process
Nonconductive
Improve Resistance Readings
Increase Polarization Indices
Environmentally Safe
No Secondary Waste
Reduce Cleaning Time
Reduce Labor Costs

5 Reasons to use Dry Ice Cleaning

Reason #1: Increases uptime through in-place cleaning
The process is fast, thorough, and can be performed on-line without disassembly and
without need for drying time.
Reason #2: Cleans without damaging the substrate
Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive. It quickly removes most contaminates without damage
to switches, panels, lines, tubes, wiring or belts.
Reason #3: Reduces or eliminates the need for hazardous solvents
Dry Ice Blasting replaces chemical or solvent based cleaning and manual scrapping.
Reason #4: Quicker and more thorough than cleaning by hand
Get a more detailed and quicker clean with CO2 by getting into tight spaced areas
inaccessible by hand
Reason #5: Safe around electrical components
This versatile process cleans heavy industrial build up without damage to sensitive areas
like electrical components, switches, wiring, photo electric sensors, etc

How Does Dry Ice Blasting Process Work?

The Dry Ice Blasting process uses pellets are made through a process of taking Liquid
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and expanding it to produce a snow like substance, that is
compressed through a die to make hard Dry Ice Pellets.
Dry Ice Pellets are then propelled at a supersonic speed by a compressed air gun (similar
to other blasting systems). Upon impact, the dry ice creates a micro-thermal shock
(caused by the extreme cold temperature of -79 C) which breaks the bond between the
coating and the substrate. The high pressure air stream removes the dirt from the surface,
while the dry ice pellets vaporize (sublimate) before your
eyes.

Dry Ice Blasting Process

Leaves No
Carbon Footprint
The Dry Ice Blasting uses Dry Ice Pellets created through a process beginning with
Liquid Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The Dry Ice is obtained as a byproduct of other industrial

processes made from reclaimed CO2. It does not produce CO2 or add CO2 to the
atmosphere and therefore does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Upon impact, the dry ice creates a micro-thermal shock which breaks the bond between
the coating of grime and the substrate. The high pressure air stream removes the dirt from
the surface, while the Dry Ice Pellets vaporize, leaving only the removed debris to be
cleaned, creating absolutely no secondary waste.

The Dry Ice Blasting Process is

completely environmentally
friendly!

Reduce cleaning time up to 80% SafeAir Dry Ice Blasting LLC uses Cold Jet dry ice
blasting which has become the preferred method to remove smoke soot, vaporized
synthetic resins and char. Dry ice blasting has even been known to reduce or
eliminate

Working principles:

The process consists in throwing particles of dry ice on the surfaces to be cleaned.

the impact of the dry ice particles allows to conjugate three effects:

A weak mechanical shock with a compression wave disconnecting the pollution of the
support

A thermic shock, (the dry ice temperature being - 78C) which is going to weaken the
pollution

A blowing effect connected to the sublimation of the CO2 is going to eliminate the
pollution

Concerned industries:

Electronics, Optical, Biomedical, Food & Beverage, Automotive and Transportation,

Energy, Space and Aeronautics , Chemicals, Cosmetics, Plastics processing industry,
Rubber, Wood, Printing offices, Foundries, Glass Manufacturing, Papers and Cardboards.