Field Services - Industrial Cleaning - Dry Ice Blasting

Valley City Environmental Services cleans industrial processes and equipment with dry ice. Dry ice systems uses rice size dry ice pellets through a jet nozzle with compressed air similar to sandblasting or high-pressure water blasting. Paint, oil, grease, asphalt, tar, decals, soot, dirt, ink, resins, and adhesives removal are some of the applications for dry ice blasting.

The cold temperature of the dry ice media causes debris to shrink and loose adhesion from its sub surface. As dry ice penetrates through the material to be removed it also comes in contact with the underlying surface. The warmer sub surface causes the dry ice to convert back into carbon dioxide gas at 800 times greater volume and expands behind the material speeding up its removal.

Unlike water, degreasers, sandblasting (or other dry media) only the removed material requires disposals since dry ice sublimes into the atmosphere and is not left behind. Electrical parts and generators can be immediately put back into service used without waiting to dry.

Benefits to Dry Ice Blasting:

• Soft enough not to pit or damage the underlying surface.
• Dissipates quickly and only the removed material must be cleaned up.
• Reduces equipment damage and does not erode or wear away the targeted surface like traditional abrasive media or wire brushes - surface integrity and critical tolerances are preserved.
• Most equipment and machinery can be cleaned while in place – no equipment in-transit to or from a dedicated cleaning area.
• Replaces hazardous chemical cleaners (acidic, caustic or solvent) and the disposal costs for any chemicals used.