VeDa Dry Ice -What is Dry Ice?

What is dry ice?

Dry ice is carbon dioxide that has been liquefied and then frozen to a temperature of approximately -78 degrees Celsius. Solid CO2 sublimates directly into vapor at normal atmospheric pressure. When it sublimates, it leaves no residue or waste material. It is dry ice’s incredibly low temperature and sublimation that makes it unique and useful.

Sublimation is the term for the process where solid dry ice turns directly into carbon dioxide, rather than melting into a liquid. It’s the sublimation process that results in the smoke that dry ice creates. The reverse process of sublimation is called Deposition, a process in which a gas goes directly to a solid, bypassing the liquid phase.



When dry ice sublimes (evaporates) then it turns from the solid directly into the substance without leaving any residue gaseous state, the gas being largely odorless and is normally colorless or invisible.

Properties

• Odorless
• Tasteless
• Nontoxic
• Residue-free sublimation with no liquid release

Benefits of dry ice

The reason why dry ice is used in so many industries is due to its beneficial qualities. Here are some of the benefits of dry ice within industries:

• Superior cooling
• Cost-effective cleaning method
• Less excess waste to clean up
• Less manpower required
• Faster process
• Increased productivity through quicker turnaround of equipment
• Environmentally-friendly solution

Dry ice and the environmental issue

CO2, the basic material of dry ice, together with other gases in the atmosphere, causes the so-called greenhouse effect. Currently, the global carbon dioxide content is increasing by about 10 gigatons per year. About 25% of this is caused by the destruction of tropical forests alone. Another 75% by burning fossil fuels.

Since the carbon dioxide for dry ice production is obtained from chemical exhaust gases, combustion gases or natural sources, this does not create an additional greenhouse effect.

When dry ice is produced, only the physical state of the carbon dioxide already in circulation is changed from liquid to solid.

Safety handling instructions

When handling dry ice, there are some safety regulations that consumers should pay attention to:

• Dry ice has an inherent temperature of -78°C. Direct contact with unprotected skin can cause serious frostbite. Never in take your mouth off. Safety glasses for crushing dry ice carry.
• Store only in suitable, well-insulated, but not tightly sealed containers. If these are not available, wrap dry ice in several layers of paper or cardboard to protect it and keep sublimation as small as possible.
• CO2 gas spreads along the ground and collects in depressions. Never store dry ice in a poorly ventilated room, e.g. B. in the basement to store. Make sure the soil is well aerated.
• CO2 gas has a narcotic effect, causing over 7% in breathing air unconsciousness and can even lead to death with higher concentration lead.
• Rooms and vehicles in which dry ice is stored or is transported, must therefore be ventilated well before entering In case of doubt, measure using a CO2 analyzer.

DRY ICE IS NOT A TOY
That's why it should be kept away from children.

FAQ

How to store dry ice?
Store dry ice in an insulated container. The thicker the insulation, the slower it will sublimate. Dry ice should not be stored in an airtight containers. Sublimation of dry ice to carbon dioxide gas will cause any airtight container to expand or possibly explode. Keep proper air ventilation wherever dry ice is stored. Do not store dry ice in unventilated rooms, cellars, autos or boat holds. The sublimated carbon dioxide gas will sink to low areas and replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if breathed in exclusively. Do not store dry ice in a freezer of refrigerator as the extremely cold temperature will cause the thermostat to turn off the freezer. It will keep everything frozen in the freezer but it will be used up at a faster rate. It is the perfect thing to use if your refrigerator breaks down in an emergency.
VeDa Dry Ice uses the best in industry for storing dry ice and provides customers the lowest rate of sublimation possible.

Why adequate ventilation is required?

Normal air is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and only 0.035% carbon dioxide. If the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air rises above 0.5%, it can cause asphyxiation. Smaller concentrations can cause quicker breathing and headaches but is otherwise not harmful. If dry ice has been in a closed auto, van, room, or walk-in, for more than 10 minutes, open doors and allow adequate ventilation before entering. Leave area containing dry ice immediately if you start to pant and breath quickly, develops a headache or your fingernails or lips start to turn blue. This is the sign that you have breathed in too much CO2 and not enough oxygen. Dry ice CO2 is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spaces. Do not enter closed storage areas that have or have had stored dry ice before airing out completely.

How do I treat skin contact or frostbite by dry ice?

In case of frostbite spray with water for at least 15 minutes. Apply a sterile dressing, obtain medical assistance.

How to dispose dry ice?

Unwrap and leave dry ice at room temperature in a well ventilated area. It will sublimate from a solid to a gas with no residue left. This way dry ice is very ecofriendly.


How does cleaning with dry ice work?

The surface-friendly dry ice blasting process enables efficient cleaning of a wide variety of components and machines with complicated and sensitive surfaces without residues of cleaning agents. This can reduce processing times and plant downtimes.
Under certain conditions, dry ice blasting is also suitable for degreasing surfaces, as dry ice has solvent-like properties when used appropriately.
For cleaning, the dry ice particles are accelerated and hit the material to be cleaned at the speed of sound. As a result, the layer to be removed is locally supercooled and embrittled. Subsequent dry ice particles penetrate the brittle and sublimate abruptly upon impact. The carbon dioxide becomes gaseous and increases its volume by about 700 to 1.000 times. In the process, it blasts the dirt off the surface.

VeDa Dry Ice is offering in collaboration with its partners dry ice blast cleaning services, all delivered nationwide.