Dry Ice And Soda Blasting

Kinetic Energy

As with conventional blast technologies (sand, water, glass bead, corn cob, etc.) the velocity of the media impacting on the surface transfers energy to the surface being cleaned/prepared. This energy transfer is responsible for most of the work being done by other blasting technologies but is only one aspect of dry ice blast cleaning.

Thermal Differentials

When the pellets of dry ice impact the contaminant, a slight temperature differential is established between the substrate and the contaminant, each exhibit a specific rate at which they will accept the temperature difference. The thermal differential that is established between the substrate and the contaminate will initiate or assist in the removal process. It should be noted that the dry ice pellets sublimate (turn from solid to gas) on impact, leaving no media contamination.

Molecular Expansion

When carbon dioxide sublimates (from solid to a gas) it expands 800 times its size. As the molecules expand they assist in the removal process.

The Media Material

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas found naturally in our environment. For use in blasting operations the dry ice is manufactured into small pellets, which resemble rice. The pellets are stored in insulated containers until they are used.

A safe cleaning environment

Dry ice is non-toxic unlike many solvents used in the cleaning industry such as TCA. The non-toxic dry ice blasting system will significantly decrease employee exposure to hazardous chemical agents and other dangerous cleaning methods. Health risks are reduced, and operator safety is enhanced, creating a safer working environment overall.

Dry cleaning

Dry ice blasting cleans thoroughly and leaves your equipment dry. It works without chemical solvents, without lubricants and without water, so it's the perfect cleaning solution for electrical equipment or other water-sensitive applications.

Dry Ice and the Printing Industry

Dry ice blast cleaning has proven itself extremely useful, effectively removing dry ink build-up from: Gears, Deck Guides, Side Frames, Gripper Bars, Roller and Roller Cups, and Sensitive Electrical Components. Ink build-up, which causes poor alignment and results in low print quality, requires time-consuming plate mounting adjustments and wasted material in press runs. Costly disassembly, solvent cleaning, reassembly and readjustment can add up to days/weeks of printing down time resulting in loss of time and capital. Dry ice blasting is an on-line cleaning process. Most cleaning can be completed in a couple of days without the use of toxic solvents, hazardous waste material and worker exposure. The cost of cleaning with dry ice is far outweighed by the economics of alternative service and down time.

Dry Ice and the Food Industry

Within the food industry sanitation and cleanliness are a major concern. Food and carbon build-up can inhibit the performance and health standards of costly equipment. Dry ice blasting can replace some processes using water, detergents, and sanitizers. Solid CO2 sublimates directly to vapor without a liquid phase (and is also a sanitizing agent), surface moisture and bacterial regrowth will effectively be eliminated up to 75%. Dry ice has proven itself to destroy a significant biofilm build-up of listeria and salmonella and has been approved by FDA and USDA safety standards. Affinity provides on-line cleaning of processing equipment such as: Mixers, Waffle Irons, Molds, Ovens, Filters, Dough Forming Fixtures, Conveyors, Etc.