Why choose dry ice blasting

Industrial dry ice blasting, also known as cryogenic cleaning, is an innovative cleaning process used in a variety of sectors and contexts to remove contaminants and prevent the growth of bacteria, mould and rust.

Find out more about this highly effective solution that produces no residual waste.

Dry ice blasting is a surface stripping process that involves spraying a mixture of compressed air and dry ice onto a surface to remove accumulated dirt, bacteria and other contaminants. The dry ice reaches the surface at a temperature of -79°C, cleaning it gently without causing damage or leaving any residue. It is an ideal technique for preventive maintenance of equipment and machinery, or for post-disaster decontamination.

Dry ice blasting uses an air compressor, an air filter and a dry ice blaster to project dry ice in the form of small solid particles of CO2. The intensity of the blast can be controlled according to the sensitivity of the surface to be treated by adjusting the air pressure and the volume of dry ice. On impact, the thermal shock rapidly eliminates bacteria, germs, dust, mould and any other form of pollution without producing residues.

The duration of the dry ice blasting process varies according to the size of the area to be cleaned and the amount of dirt or contaminants to be removed. One thing is certain, as dry ice blasting generates no water or residue and is very gentle on all surfaces, it requires minimal downtime, as nothing needs to be protected, contained or dried.

Unlike steam cleaning, dry ice blasting requires no drying time and no dismantling and reassembly of equipment, so you can get back to work more quickly. What’s more, dry ice poses no risk of the proliferation of bacteria, mould or fungi. On the contrary, it eliminates all these contaminants!

Dry ice blasting offers many advantages over traditional methods.

• Increased efficiency: cryogenic cleaning reduces the manpower required for cleaning. What’s more, you can clean surfaces, equipment and tools without moving or dismantling anything, so downtime is reduced.
• Zero residue: dry ice sublimates on contact with the surface to be cleaned. It therefore creates no water, dust or secondary waste.
• Speed: surface stripping with dry ice is generally faster than traditional methods.
• Non-abrasive: dry ice cleaning does not damage surfaces, including fragile surfaces such as electronic equipment, printed circuit boards and plastic extrusion moulds.
• Access to tight spaces: dry ice can penetrate and deep clean restricted or hard-to-reach areas, such as cracks or small, intricately shaped spaces.
• Optimum safety: dry ice cleaning reduces exposure to hazardous products and eliminates the need for manual cleaning.
• Eco-friendly: dry ice used is made from recycled CO2 and its blasting does not produce any additional CO2, so it is carbon neutral. Dry ice is also non-toxic.

Dry ice is non-abrasive; therefore, it is suitable for a wide variety of surface stripping operations. It can be used to remove loose paint or to clean masonry and concrete, tank interiors, different types of walls, paint chambers or chimney stacks. It can also be used to clean industrial surfaces such as plastic extrusion moulds, robotic or electronic equipment, conveyors and drive belts and chains.

Dry ice is a very soft substance, measuring between 1.5 and 2 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means that not only can it be used to clean even the most sensitive of surfaces, but that it can extend equipment life and reduce the risk of damage during cleaning.

As well as removing grease, dust, dirt and bacteria, cryogenic cleaning is particularly effective at eliminating mould and fungi during post-disaster decontamination, or as a preventative measure during routine maintenance. It also eliminates soot and helps to significantly reduce odours after a fire.

Dry ice cleaning can be used in a wide range of industries that require deep cleaning of tools, surfaces and equipment. These include the food, textile, aerospace and aviation, automotive, plastics manufacturing and printing industries.

Dry ice is an ideal solution for the food sector as it removes stubborn dirt and grease from equipment without generating any water or dust. As such, it effectively strips surfaces without contaminating food or equipment.

The cost of dry ice blasting varies according to the size of the surface to be stripped or decontaminated. For more information on our cryogenic cleaning service, request a quote today.