Dry ice blasting, also known as CO2 or cryogenic blasting, is a newer method of cleaning. Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. The process of dry ice blasting involves the propulsion of dry ice pellets from a pressurized air stream. This method can be useful in many situations as it is completely non-abrasive and non-toxic. It is commonly used in restoration processes for smoke or fire, but also for water and mold remediation. Dry ice blasting is also great for cleaning equipment in the food industry as well as for cleaning factory equipment.
Dry ice is environmentally friendly and doesn’t result in harmful, harsh chemicals or residue. As soon as the dry ice pellets make contact with a surface they sublimate and change form. This means on impact the dry ice immediately changes from its solid state to a gas. There is a science to this process. But in the most basic, simplified terms, when dry ice is blasted at a high rate of speed it causes the coating of the surface to freeze and crack. As the dry ice sublimates, a large amount of energy is released that strips off the coating from the surface. It is a very effective process for cleaning and removing any contaminants, oil, grease, paints, rust, and mold spores.
This type of media blasting is extremely fast and thorough. It is not necessary to disassemble any equipment and dry ice can reach and effectively clean out the smaller and more difficult spaces to clean. Chemicals are of no concern and there is no need for any drying time. This significantly reduces downtime of equipment. Damage to equipment or any other surface is not a worry since this method is so gentle and non-abrasive. Another benefit is that it is completely safe to use around all types of electrical equipment, from panels and switches to wiring.
These are some of the reasons this method has become a preferred cleaning method in many industries.