Understanding Dry Ice Cleaning
Le nettoyage à la glace sèche : comment ça marche ? La technique du nettoyage par cryogénie représente uDry ice cleaning: how does it work? The cryogenic cleaning technique represents a tremendous advance in terms of industrial cleanliness. However, it remains a mystery to many neophytes, and perhaps you are one of them. Discover in this article and this video the explanations of the dry ice cleaning process.
Discover the Power of Cryogenic Cleaning
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Dry Ice cleaning in a few words...
Dry ice cleaning is a cleaning technique that uses dry ice and its physical properties for the instantaneous detachment of pollutants or dirt.
Dry
The Cryoblaster® process uses the projection of dry ice by means of blasters and compressed air. See illustration below.
Explanations of dry ice cleaning in video...
Dry ice cleaning is based on the simultaneous action of 3 physical phenomena
See video below
1- Kinetic energy
The Dry ice, in the form of pellets with a diameter of 3 mm, is projected at very high speed onto the surfaces to be treated using compressed air and Supersonic Nozzles (convergence/divergence).
The dry ice thus acquires kinetic energy (Ec = 1/2 mV²).
Upon impact, the pellets generate a localized shock wave, facilitating the detachment of pollution from the treated surface.
However,it is important to remember that the energy transfer to the support is minimal, for 2 reasons:
Firstly: the hardness of dry ice is comparable to that of chalk. Less dense and less heavy, dry ice is non-abrasive.
- Second: the almost instantaneous transition (or thousandths of a second) from the solid state to the gaseous state of dry ice therefore allows only a minimal transfer of energy as indicated above.
Dry ice cleaning service on electrical cabinet...
2- Thermal differential
The very low temperature of dry ice pellets, -78.5 °C, gives the cryogenic cleaning process undeniable thermodynamic properties!
Depending on the type of pollution or contaminant being treated, a temperature difference between the dry ice and the substrate, or thermal shock, can occur. As the temperature of a contaminant or pollution decreases, it becomes more brittle, allowing the pellets to impact the pollutant.
The thermal gradient or differential between two different materials, with different coefficients of thermal expansion, can also facilitate the decohesion of the pollutant from the substrate. This thermal shock or thermal differential is more evident when cleaning by cryogenics a non-metallic coating (e.g. electrical cabinets covered with dry residues) or a contaminant linked to a metal substrate (e.g. poteyage on foundry mold)
The hotterthe temperature of the surface to be treated, the faster and more economical the cryogenic cleaning process is (e.g. aluminum foundry gravity mold).
Many companies are interested in the cryogenic cleaning process but are concerned about how their tools will react to the cold of dry ice: studies have shown that the drop in temperature occurs only on the surface, so there is no risk of thermal stress in the metallic mass of the substrate with dry ice cleaning. Example: plastic molding.
3- Sublimation
Upon impact, the dry ice sublimes (changes from solid to gaseous state) with a ratio of 1 to 700. We can talk about micro-explosions.
The dirt is literally blown out. All that remains is to suck up the dirt or residue. The treatment is dry and does not generate secondary waste unlike the use of a pressure washer or a sandblaster.
Delta Diffusion/Cryoblaster®
Implement a Dry Ice Cleaning Operation
Step 1
Dry Ice Production
Dry ice is produced from liquid CO2, forming solid pellets ready for use.
Step 2
High-Velocity Projection
Dry ice pellets are projected at high velocity onto the surface to be cleaned, disintegrating contaminants.
Step 3
Impeccable Results
Contaminants are removed without leaving residues, providing a clean and ready-to-use surface.
The cryogenic cleaning process in detail (see image above) :
- (1). After connecting the compressed air supply (compressor or factory pressurized air network) and, starting the cryogenic cleaning unit,
- (2). Introduce the dry ice, in the form of 3 mm pellets, into the blaster, inside the tank. dry ice, in the form of 3 mm pellets, into the blaster, inside the hopper.
- (3). The dry ice is mixed with the compressed air flow inside the blaster,
- (4). Then it is propelled through a "shooting hose".
- (5). Finally, dry ice is projected onto the surfaces to be cleaned using a gun equipped with a supersonic spray nozzle.
Benefits of Dry Ice Cleaning
Unrivaled Efficiency
Cryogenic cleaning offers superior cleaning efficiency, eliminating contaminants without leaving residues.
Environmental Friendliness
This process uses dry ice, a non-toxic and environmentally friendly material, thereby reducing the ecological footprint.
Non-Abrasive
Cryogenic cleaning is non-abrasive, preserving delicate surfaces while ensuring deep cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Discover the answers to the most common questions about cryogenic cleaning.
It is an industrial stripping and cleaning process using dry ice (solid CO2 at -78.5°C) projection. Unlike traditional methods, it eliminates pollutants without solvents or abrasion, thanks to a combination of thermal shock and kinetic energy.
Its major advantages are its non-abrasive nature, its ecological character (zero chemicals), and the complete absence of secondary waste. It allows equipment to be cleaned directly on-site, without disassembly or drying, offering immediate productivity gains.
Yes, it is one of the most respectful processes. Being non-abrasive, it does not scratch metals or damage electrical components. For very soft materials, we simply adjust the blasting pressure to ensure complete safety.
The process relies on three physical phenomena: thermal shock (weakens dirt), kinetic energy (detaches pollution), and sublimation (gaseous CO2 "lifts" dirt from within by increasing its volume).
Applications are vast: food processing (grease), automotive (foundry molds), electronics (live cabinets), plastics processing, and post-disaster restoration.
The Return on Investment (ROI) calculation is very favorable. The savings achieved from reduced production downtime and the absence of waste treatment costs (sand, soiled water) largely offset the operating cost.