Dry ice blasting is a precision cleaning breakthrough that has been discovered by a growing number of industries and commercial enterprises. MNI can apply this process for everything from removing heavy slag to cleaning sensitive semi-conductors, it is fast, uncomplicated and cost effective.
Fast: There is almost no post-cleanup because there is no waste water, unlike steam cleaning or chemicals.
Uncomplicated: there is no grit or dust left behind even though the technique is as effective as sandblasting.
Cost effective: Some machinery can be cleaned on-line or with minimal downtime, and there is no time lost or expense for disposal of residue.
Cleaning with dry ice protects any surface under the grime. Unlike sand, bead blasting, or chemicals, dry ice (CO2) pellets will not leave pits or scratches. CO2 is not a hazardous chemical, unlike most industrial cleaning solvents.
How does Dry Ice Blasting and Cleaning work?
Dry ice blasting uses compressed air to force CO2 pellets out of a tube through a narrow tip aimed at the surface to be cleaned. Although it looks much like pressure washing or sand blasting, the big difference is that dry ice is – dry. The CO2 is so cold – 109° below zero – that it causes the dirt molecules to shrink, loosening them from the surface. As soon as the pellets hit the surface they change from solid to gas, creating a molecular “blast” that pries off dirt, grime and paint.
The only thing left to do is sweep up the residue of paint, ink, resins, asphalt, grime, adhesives or whatever has been removed from surfaces. No waste water. No chemical drainage. No sand or plastic beads scattered around. The CO2 goes into the atmosphere.
There is no dust or detritus from dry ice blasting that can be trapped in or foul up either the machinery being cleaned or nearby equipment.
The pellets are non-toxic; pose no workplace hazard to people or equipment, and meet EPA, USDA and FDA guidelines.
You no longer have to take apart industrial equipment, move it to a cleaning area, and then move it back to the manufacturing floor to be reassembled. It can now be cleaned in place, greatly reducing costly downtime. The dry ice blasting nozzle is agile for reaching most exposed areas. If needed, some strategic disassembly performed in-place enables the cleaning to be completed thoroughly.
Electrical parts and generators can be back in service immediately because you don’t have to wait for water or chemicals to dry.