When it comes to industrial cleaning demand, it is very crucial to choose the right cleaning method as pieces of equipment and devices in factories need to be handled with great care for them to work efficiently plus smoothly. For that very reason, it is best for companies and business owners to choose dry ice blasting for cleaning purposes because of the satisfying results that it brings. Together, let’s find out more about why should we use dry ice blasting in the article below.
How dry ice blasting works?
Dry ice blasting is a superior cleaning solution that is commonly used in many countries but is still new in the Vietnamese market. It operates by using mainly dry ice pellets that are -109°F (freezing cold) and blasting them out at supersonic speeds, directly onto the surface. These materials consist of recycled carbon dioxide and the outcome is a very satisfying result: upon impact, dry ice sublimate and turn back into its gaseous state. With the advanced scientific technology, the combination of dry ice blasting’s kinetic energy and thermal effects freeze and blast away contaminants straight away upon impact. The great thing is that there is no secondary waste left behind. Therefore, there is no need for additional expenditure for post-cleaning.
Another reason worth noticing is that dry ice can be used for light industries such as: Food, textile, and plastic. Besides, the machine is also used for cleaning machines in heavy industrial applications such as: Aircraft & Aerospace, Automotive,… and also in some other industries like: Printing, Medical equipment & Pharmaceuticals,…
Reasons we should use dry ice blasting
Non-abrasive
As you can see, dry ice blasting is completely “harmless” to devices and equipment, or in other words, non-abrasive. It does not do harm to the properties’ surfaces, ensuring that they are damage-free after cleaning and remain in good condition for a long time. Therefore, reducing scrap rate, eliminating wear and tear as well as improve part quality significantly
The reason for this is that, fortunately, dry ice is a soft media. How can we say a piece of ice is soft? Well, on the Mohs scale of hardness, dry ice is only in the range of 1.5 – 2. It is therefore considered a very soft medium that can clean most surfaces without abrading or damaging them yet powerful enough to remove years of deposits from production line machinery.
Less cleaning time, more satisfying results
When compared to other traditional cleaning methods (ones such as scrubbing, wiping, high-pressure cleaning with water, etc), dry ice blasting can reduce up to 75% of the time used with superior cleaning. Now, by using this method, you can clean all the devices hot and online; including all the small and hard to reach angles and crevices thanks to a wide range of nozzles with different sizes and rotation angles. This means that even when your plant and factory are in the process of working, you can still do the cleaning while the production line work. There’s no need for a pause or break as you can produce continously and still get the surface spotless and clean. This helps big time as you don’t need to waste time dissembling then re-assembling all the parts.
In addition, this method doesn’t scratch or stain the surface. It is aggresive enough to remove all the rust, mold and stains but still delicate enough to protect your properties. Thus, you will also save money, effort as well as manpower as it only requires one person to operate the dry ice blasting machine and has a simple set-up.
Eco-friendly and no secondary waste
Firstly, dry ice is a colorless, odorless media created as a by-product of other industrial processes; then collected and recycled. Because of its recycling feature, dry ice blaster will not affect the environment nor contribute to the greenhouse effect when used with these machines. It is also an EPA, USDA, and FDA-approved material thanks to its non-toxic, non-hazardous characteristic and is approved to use around food.
Secondly, when using this cleaning method, there is no chemicals or water needed. Therefore, enhance safety operator, avoid safety hazards as well as ensure no secondary waste that would be left behind post-cleaning compared to when you use traditional methods or pressure blasting (i.e sandblasting). This is because when operate, dry ice blasting use recycled dry ice pellets and blasts them out at supersonic speeds. Upon impact with the surface that needs cleaning, dry ice sublimates and changes from solid-state to gaseous then vaporizes. This makes cleaning extremely easy and spotless, leaving no secondary waste and a completely dry, moisture-free cleaning environment.
Some types of modern dry ice blasting
Aero 2 Series
Series The Aero2 Series is the highest performing dry ice machine available on the market. They are truly intelligent machines that give you complete control, even when far away.
Aero2 PLT 60
Breakthrough Aero2 technology has given the PLT 60 an innovative design, suitable for applications that require more robustness. This is one of the most efficient dry ice machines available on the market.
The machine includes a SureFlow feeding system that not only helps users to minimize air pressure loss but also maximizes air supply capacity and limits dry ice waste. In addition, the 7” LCD screen provides an intuitive display that allows the user to easily view, program or adjust the dry ice parameters as well as the machine settings. Such as setting and saving burst pressure and feed speed parameters.
PLT 60 is IoT enabled through SPECCo2’s 4.0 technology solution, SPECCo2 CONNECT®. The system provides remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities.
Aero2 PCS 60
The Aero2 PCS 60 is designed to give users full control using SPECCo2’s patented Particle Control System (PCS), which allows users to customize dry ice firing parameters. Besides, the dry ice will also be cut into diamond-shaped particles to the exact size selected by the operator (from 0.3mm to 3mm).
Some advantages of the PCS 60 series:
- Performance changes industry: The blast stream is consistent and pulse-free.
- Intuitive screen: Easily view and control blasting parameters and machine settings on the 7” color LCD display.
- Full control provides a level of precision and flexibility even at a distance..
- Programmable applications: The user can set and save application formulations (burst pressure, particle size, feed rate), thereby ensuring the most efficient use of materials and preventing errors during operation.
- Ergonomics: The machine is designed to optimize and combine materials, reducing weight and size with redesigned bellows for greater flexibility and durability.
- Lower noise level and effective cleaning at lower blowing air pressure.
- IoT capabilities for remote monitoring and diagnostics with the industry’s first SPECCo2 CONNECT.
PCS 60 is IoT enabled through SPECCo2’s 4.0 technology solution, SPECCo2 CONNECT. The system provides remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities.
Conclusion
The dry ice blasting machine is a great alternative to both the traditional cleaning methods and pressure blasting because of the results that it brings. With a variety of nozzles of different sizes combined with advanced scientific technology, this machine has superior cleaning ability and is non-abrasive, ensuring equipment is thoroughly cleaned even when production is in progress, causing no scratches and increasing longevity for long-term use. Other than this, the dry ice blasting is also an environmentally friendly equipment as it does not leave secondary waste after use.
Specco2 is the official distributor of SPECCo2 in Vietnam, specializing in distributing dry ice machines and producing dry ice. If your business needs consulting, please contact Specco2 for 24/7 support.
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