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Dry ice pellets are propelled out of the cleaning gun at a very high speed. Upon impact with the surface, the energy transfer knocks off the contaminant without abrasion. This is the primary means of contaminant removal.
The cold temperature of the dry ice pellets (-79° C) hitting the contaminant creates a micro-thermal shock between the surface contaminant and the substrate. Subsequent cracking and delaminating of the contaminant furthers the elimination process.
In the final phase of the process, the pellet expands on impact. As the pellet warms, it converts to a harmless gas, which expands rapidly beneath the contaminant surface. This forces the contaminant off from underneath. The contaminant is then relocated, typically falling to the ground. Since the CO2 sublimates instantly, only the contaminant is left for disposal.
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The grade of carbon dioxide used in cleaning is the same as that used in food and beverage industry and has been specifically approved by the FDA, the EPA and the USDA. Carbon dioxide is a non-poisonous, liquefied gas that is both inexpensive and easily stored at work sites. Of equal importance, it is nonconductive and non-flammable.
With a low temperature of -78.5° C, dry ice solid has an inherrant thermal energy ready to be tapped. At atmospheric pressure, solid CO2 sublimates directly to vapour without a liquid phase. This unique property means that the dry ice clean medium simply disappears, leaving only the original contaminant to be disposed of. In addition, cleaning in water sensitive areas (e.g. in the vicinity of electrical cabinets) is now practical.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occuring gas, which serves many life sustaining purposes.
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Decreased Downtime through Cleaning In-Place |
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Faster and More Thorough Cleaning |
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Elimination of Equipment Damage |
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Reduction or Elimination of Solvents |
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Reductions in Waste Disposal |
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Increased Safety |
Ancram Engineering Limited has teamed up with CryoGenesis UK Ltd, established in 1994 by Clive Curtis in partnership with BOC Gases UK. It is our ongoing commitment to provide Dry Ice Cleaning technology and dry ice cleaning services to a wider range of companies in the UK, supplying the best, affordable, dry ice cleaning equipment available in the world today, manufactured by Coldjet / Alpheus USA - The originators of the technology in 1987
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Many procedures require equipment to be cooled, disassembled and moved for cleaning. With dry ice cleaning, equipment can be cleaned in-place and without cooling in most situations. Dry ice cleaning reduces downtime from days to hours.
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Dry ice cleaning gives a superior clean when compared to scrubbing with abrasive pads or wire brushes. The CO2 cleaning method cleans in crevices that can't be reached by hand.
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Cleaning methods such as sandblasting have an aggressive and abrasive effect on the surface, and can actually remove part of the surface. Dry ice is non-abrasive and does not change a surface's structure.
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Dry ice cleaning uses no solvents. This can be a critical need for certain companies in order to comply with environmental regulations or to improve worker safety. There are no issues pertaining to toxicity. |
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With other cleaning methods, the cleaning agent becomes a secondary contaminant and must be disposed of as toxic waste along with the primary contaminant. However, with dry ice cleaning the CO2 pellet sublimates upon contact, meaning the only waste created is the contaminant itself. |
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No secondary waste, non-toxic, safe for the environment, safe for employees, safe for equipment. |
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