How Does Dry Ice Blast Cleaning Work?

Dry ice blast cleaning uses three main mechanisms: kinetic energy, thermal shock, and sublimation.

Kinetic Energy: Compressed air is used to accelerate dry ice pellets to high speeds of up to 300 m/s. When these high-velocity pellets strike a surface, their kinetic energy dislodges impurities with direct impact force.

Thermal shock occurs when dry ice (−78.5 °C or −109.3 °F) comes into touch with warmer surface contaminants. This fast temperature differential causes the contaminants to compress and harden, making them easier to get rid of.

Dry ice pellets sublimate immediately upon impact, changing from a solid to a gaseous state. This quick volume expansion (by about 800 times) facilitates the lifting and transportation of loosened contaminants. Dry ice produces CO₂ gas and leaves no residue, avoiding the need for further cleanup.

Where Dry Ice Blast Cleaning Came From

The practice of dry ice blast cleaning developed out of older blasting methods in the twentieth century. Starting in the 1940s, people began toying with the idea of cleaning with solid CO₂. The technique did not start to come into its own, though, until cryogenics and compressed air technologies advanced in the 1970s and 1980s.

Commercial dry ice blast cleaning devices were first developed in the 1980s. The drawbacks of other conventional cleaning processes, such as the secondary waste they produced, inspired the development of these techniques. Industries such as automotive, tyre manufacturing, printing and packaging, injection moulding, foundries, power generation – stators and rotors, and electrical industries such as substations utilize dry ice blast cleaning to clean sensitive components and equipment without causing damage.

Dry Ice Blast Cleaning’s Many Uses

The effectiveness and adaptability of dry ice blast cleaning have led to its extensive application in many different industries. Here are a few of its most important uses:

Cleaning in the Industrial Sector:

Dry ice blast cleaning is a common method for cleaning production lines, machinery, and equipment in sectors like food processing, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Without harming surfaces or leaving behind residue, it efficiently removes pollutants like grease, oil, and glue.

The automotive industry makes use of dry ice blast cleaning to clean carbon buildup on production lines, and tyre moulds, to name but a few. It removes buildup of carbon and blocked vents on tyre moulds, which helps equipment stay in good working order and improves product quality.

Classic car restoration has become extremely popular in recent years where dry ice blast cleaning has become the preferred method to clean engines, chassis and wheel arches. The removal of years of grime build-up and top-surface rust has become a necessity for car enthusiasts. The good news is that it’s not just classic cars, but also for modern and technology advanced vehicles, where the use of water is a huge NO due to computer boxes and electronics. Dry ice blast cleaning is a dry process – no water involved – which makes it the ideal and preferred method of cleaning!

Dry ice blast cleaning is a common method for cleaning fragile parts and circuit boards in the electronics sector. The method successfully removes flux residues and other pollutants without harming delicate components.

Dry ice blast cleaning is very effective for mould remediation. The cold process removes mould spores and prevents regrowth.

What Dry ice blast cleaning Can Do For You

Dry ice blast cleaning has several advantages over standard cleaning procedures, making it a popular choice in a variety of industries. Here are several significant advantages:

Non-Abrasive Cleaning:

Unlike sandblasting and other abrasive procedures, dry ice blast cleaning does not erode surfaces as it’s a cleaning process and not a surface preparation process. This is especially important for fragile equipment and materials that may be harmed by chemical cleaning procedures. Research shows that dry ice blast cleaning is excellent in preserving the integrity of industrial machinery while completely cleaning it.

Dry ice blast cleaning is environmentally friendly, as it employs CO₂, a non-toxic and non-hazardous gas. In contrast to chemical cleaning agents, which require additional cleaning and disposal, this procedure generates no secondary waste. According to a study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production, dry ice blast cleaning generates much less waste and has a lower environmental impact than traditional cleaning procedures.

Dry ice blast cleaning is more successful and efficient than many standard methods for removing contaminants like grease, oil, adhesives, and biofilms. Dry ice sublimation leaves no residue; thus surfaces remain clean and free of secondary contaminants. This efficiency lowers downtime in industrial settings since equipment can be cleaned in place rather than disassembled.

Operator Safety: The procedure minimises hazardous chemical exposure and the danger of injury associated with hand scrubbing and the use of chemicals. Dry ice is non-toxic and has been approved for use in food processing facilities by regulatory agencies including the USDA.

Dry ice blast cleaning can be applied to a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, rubber, and composites. Its adaptability makes it appropriate for a wide range of industries. According to a study published in the International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, dry ice blast cleaning is very successful in keeping precision manufacturing equipment clean and efficient.

Improved Productivity: By minimising the need for disassembly and cleaning time, dry ice blast cleaning boosts overall productivity. Equipment can be returned to service faster, resulting in less downtime and increased operational efficiency.