Dry Ice Blasting

Proper Maintenance increases a machine’s lifetime. As a result, cleaning the equipment is essential for productivity and service life. Dry ice blasting is a standard industrial cleaning method used in various industries.

Dry ice cleaning is the most excellent method to clean any machine or equipment, and although it is a little pricey, it is also ecologically beneficial.

On the other hand, this article will introduce you to the dry ice cleaning method. In addition, we’ll take a quick look at this cleaning method application. 

What is dry ice blasting

Dry ice blasting involves accelerating and directing dry ice (the solid form of carbon dioxide) at a surface to clean it. This process is a strong, mild, dry, and environmentally friendly cleaning procedure used in several sectors.

Dry ice cleaning is like sandblasting, plastic bead blasting, or soda blasting. The key difference is that it uses dry ice instead of water. Because dry ice sublimates at ambient temperature, dry ice blasting leaves no chemical trace.

Dry ice cleaning, CO2 blasting, and dry ice dusting describe dry ice blasting. The dry ice cleaning machine offers an affordable solution. It reduces or removes the need for staff to handle chemical cleaners.

The EPA, FDA, and USDA all allow dry ice-cleaning machines.

How does dry ice Cleaning work

Dry ice cleaning entails pushing pellets with great speed. Dry ice pellets are less thick and soft than conventional blast-cleaning mediums.

The pellet sublimates almost right away when it touches the surface. This means it transfers little kinetic energy and causes only slight abrasion. Thermal shock causes shear strains as the sublimation process takes substantial heat from the surface.

The process sends more heat to the top layer of dirt or contamination. This makes it peel off more easily than the layer beneath. Hence, we intend this method to enhance cleaning.

The heat conductivity of the substrate and contaminant impacts how well this procedure works. The quick transition from solid to gas generates minuscule shock waves that are supposed to aid in the removal of the pollutant.

Dry ice blasting is safe

Dry ice cleaning is a flexible and surface preparation procedure used on practically any surface. It can remove grease, oil, dirt, dust, adhesives, paints, food residue, germs, tar, soot, greasy smoke, mold, ink, paper dust, resin, and more.

Particularly, Dry ice cleaning is a popular cleaning procedure in most industrial settings. The dry ice blasting process is entirely safe for human beings.

Non-Abbrasavie and Dustless

Even though shooting dry ice pellets seems severe, it is non-abrasive according to the physics of thermal shock. The process removes the coating or contaminant completely, leaving no trace or scratch. This happens because the substrate contracts while the gas expands as it sublimates.

On the other hand, Dry ice cleaning machine produces no dust. As the popularity of abrasive blasting has grown, removing pollutants from the air has become a desired feature.

Cleaning leaves no residue

Dry ice sublimates quickly and leaves no trace on the surface. In this case, the media dissolves into the air, minimizing the amount of time it takes to clean up.

Consecutively, the machine removes, sweep, or vacuums away the coatings and impurities. As a consequence, cleanliness and efficiency have increased.

Accurate in cleaning

A dry Ice cleaning machine is a perfectly safe procedure for any cleaning application.

Cleaning using dry ice pellets provides more precise and focused cleaning. The compressed dry ice may also penetrate a crack to reach hard-to-reach areas between wood planks. It may penetrate where the wire is kept and be safe on electrical wiring.

Non-toxic

Cleaning with dry ice is a non-toxic method. It uses subzero temperatures to remove coatings, kill germs, and destroy fungi. So, it doesn’t need chemicals or solvents.

The Food Standards Agency has approved dry ice cleaning for food processors. When conducted in open locations, it poses no dangers or hazards to the operators.

Non-conductive process

Cleaning with dry ice is a non-conductive method. As a result, it is not harmful to electrical components. It removes the need to disassemble machines, reducing downtime and allowing you to return to operation fast. You can clean most equipment safely if you follow the right precautions.

Dry ice cleaning compares to other cleaning methods.

Dry ice blasting, sandblasting, soda blasting, wet ice blasting, and laser cleaning are all popular cleaning methods. They do, however, have certain similarities and differences.

Let’s compare and contrast the various blasting methods with dry ice cleaning.

Dry Ice blasting vs sandblasting

Opposed to sandblasting, dry ice blasting has some advantages, one of which is non-abrasive. Sandblasting is an abrasive way of eliminating contaminants that might harm the surface.

On the other hand, for electrical applications, sandblasting is not the best option. Both dry ice and sandblasting lack electrical conductivity.

The use of dry ice cleaning to remove unpleasant compounds from surfaces is a non-toxic option. Sandblasting may create a toxic hazard waste to remove dangerous chemicals or materials.

Because the dry ice sublimates upon contact, there is no additional waste from dry ice blasting. When you employ sandblasting, it generates a lot of secondary trash, which may cause delays and increase costs.

The most ecologically friendly blasting method involves using dry ice for cleaning. Although sandblasting is biodegradable, it may also be damaging to the environment.

Dry Ice blasting vs soda & wet ice blasting

The creation of soda blasting and dry ice blasting technologies were in response to the same problem. Different sectors use both for applications requiring a gentle touch on the substrate, such as cleaning and coating removal.

Wet ice blasting is a unique form of media blasting method that requires proprietary technology to harness the strength of ordinary ice cubes.

Operators may use a little more abrasive blast cleaning technique with this kind of ice blasting than they can with dry ice cleaning.

One of the essential benefits of wet ice (ice cube) blasting is the cost savings on media. Wet ice media is much less costly than dry ice and commercial grade sodium bicarbonate.

Dry Ice blasting vs laser cleaning

Laser cleaning has some limitations to a small number of cleaning applications. In this case, the technology used by ice blasting machines and laser cleaning equipment is very different.

Laser cleaning is an entirely distinct debris removal process that does not need ice particles. The dry ice cleaning machine uses compressed air, but the laser cleaning machine doesn’t.

Dry ice cleaning, wet ice blasting, and laser-blasting have different prices. Laser cleaning is only appropriate for a small number of cleaning tasks.

Applications

Dry Ice Blasting is a safe, dry cleaning method. It’s non-abrasive and non-toxic. Plus, there’s no cleanup of blast material. The following list the 15 most popular dry ice cleaning applications.

Adhesive Removal

Dry ice cleaning is a quicker and better way to remove sticky residue from industrial equipment. Dry ice’s low temperature weakens the binding between the adhesive and the surface, allowing easier removal.

Dry ice blasting is safe and won’t damage surfaces. It also creates no waste, which means you can clean more often and extend the life of your equipment.

Asphalt & Bitumen Removal

Piling up asphalt materials on equipment leads to quality problems. It also shortens the lifespan of components.

Cleaning asphalt, bitumen, and tar from paving equipment can be tough. Traditional methods like pressure washers, chemicals, and chisels take a lot of time. They can also harm the environment.

Cleaning with dry ice blasting is a safer and quicker option since it is fully dry, non-toxic, and produces no secondary waste. Keep your equipment running well. Also, improve environmental measures, even in tough conditions.

Automation Restoration

Automotive repair needs smart tools. They give users control and flexibility to clean all kinds of auto parts.

However, Dry ice cleaning is a non-abrasive, non-corrosive cleaning method that generates no secondary waste.

The dry ice cleaning machine fine-tunes cleaning aggressiveness to clean any car component efficiently. It also prevents the possibility of delicate parts.

Coatings & Corrosion Removal

Projects will see a reduction in containment and post-clean-up expenses due to the significant reduction in dust and trash.

Because dry ice blasting does not need rust inhibitors or induce flash rusting, the surface will be left dry and residue-free, allowing for a faster application of a new coating.

Coffee Roaster Cleaning

Burnt-on coffee grounds clog up coffee roasters, grinders, and packaging machinery.

Manually scrubbing coffee roasters using hand tools is time-consuming and labor-intensive. One roaster takes around eight to ten hours to clean by hand. This process may also entail the addition of water, which might contribute to bacterial growth and a more extended drying period.

Dry ice cleaning systems for coffee roasters and packing equipment are faster and do not produce any secondary waste or need water. A dry ice blasting machine can clean a roaster in less than two hours.

It safely cleans food-grade surfaces. It doesn’t add foreign materials or allergens. Plus, it lowers the risk of microbial growth and cross-contamination.

Composite Tool Cleaning

Dry ice blasting extends the life of composite molds and equipment. It does this by eliminating harsh chemicals, wire brushes, and abrasive pads.

The method is gentle. It keeps the mould surface shiny and protects key dimensions and shapes of separating lines and sealing surfaces.

Core Box cleaning

Resin and sand buildup on core box vents stops the core material from solidifying. This can block vents, lower product quality, and create waste. Traditional cleaning methods take a lot of time. They are often ineffective and can damage tools and vents in core boxes.

Dry ice blasting cleans core boxes while they run. This reduces risk and boosts effectiveness. This means that no one creates extra waste.

It’s a non-abrasive procedure that won’t harm screens, vents, or equipment. Dry ice cleaning of core boxes results in a considerable decrease in production downtime and scrap rates.

General Equipment Cleaning

Dry ice blasting cleans various production and auxiliary equipment. It doesn’t harm surfaces, create secondary waste, or put people or the environment at risk.

Historical Restoration

Dry ice cleaning is great for restoring historical artefacts. It helps repair them safely and quickly, much faster than other methods.

However, the procedure is non-abrasive and won’t harm sensitive cleaning surfaces. Dry ice blasting removes the need for abrasive hand tools, hazardous chemicals, and water in manual cleaning.

Finally, Dry ice cleaning removes layers of paint, carbon, pollution, smoke damage, mold, and various other impurities from a variety of surfaces.

Mould Cleaning

Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive, produces no secondary waste, and enables you to clean your moulds while the press is running. It results in increased production, better-quality components, and lower prices.

Using this method, you may clean any mould and a range of moulds finished, including A1 surfaces and textured surfaces.

Nonwoven Die Cleaning

Manufacturers of polymer nonwoven materials use dry ice cleaning machines to increase production speeds. Cleaning is key for keeping product quality high and production smooth. This applies to spunbond, melt-blown, wet-laid, and needle-punched products.

Using traditional techniques, cleaning a melt-blown die might take several hours and numerous shifts. Depending on the size of the die, cleaning with dry ice blasting MicroParticles takes just minutes. It cuts down on production downtime dramatically.

Parts Finishing

Components finishing dry ice blasting eliminate burrs and flash from machined and molded parts.

Dry ice is non-abrasive. It produces no secondary waste, so it keeps the part’s shape intact without leftover media.

Remediation

The technique cuts out manual cleaning. It also creates no secondary waste. This saves time on encapsulation and waste collection.

Dry ice cleaning effectively reaches tight spots, like truss angles around nails, wiring, and plumbing. It cleans without damaging the surface. The technique also minimizes or removes odors caused by fire, smoke, and mold damage.

Surface Preparation

Dry ice cleaning eliminates the need for surface pretreatment with water or chemicals. This procedure works well for removing pollutants from delicate plastic surfaces. It also deals with heavy dirt on metal and steel surfaces. This makes it great for quick repairs or non-destructive testing.

Dry ice cleaning leaves no residue. It also stops grit from getting trapped. This means better-quality products and more accurate testing.

Weld Line Cleaning

Dry ice cleaning removes weld slag, spatter, resin, smoke, oil, and adhesive buildup from robots and manufacturing equipment. This helps to reduce misalignment, failures, and scrap.