What is dry ice?
Dry ice or solid carbon dioxide is a tasteless and odourless substance characterised by 3.3 times higher cooling power than ice. Dry ice is produced of liquid carbonic acid. After reducing the pressure and quickly evaporating liquid carbonic acid at the temperature of – 78oC, the ice is obtained and pressed into blocks or pellets. Density of dry ice – up to 1,600 kg/m3, the production of cold – approx. 600 kJ/kg.
The main characteristic of dry ice is sublimation. Dry ice does not have a liquid state – it turns into gas when heated. Namely for this feature, it is used not only as a freezing substance that prevents from accumulation of moisture in products, but also as an effective cleaning product. During cryogenic cleaning, the dirt, oil, fat, glue and other types of pollutants are cleaned without causing any damage to the surface. When using suitable pressure, dry ice can be used for cleaning even those materials that are sensitive to environmental effect or such objects as microchips.
Dry ice is a completely natural product produced according to standard ĮST 15667399-60 of AB “Achema”. “Gaschema” is the only producer of this product in Lithuania.
Technical information
Dry ice blocks | Block dimensions 210 x 125 mm (length x width) |
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Height, mm | 20 | 22 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 60 | 70 |
Block weight, g | 820 | 900 | 1020 | 1210 | 1410 | 1620 | 1820 | 2020 | 2420 | 2830 |
We offer to purchase cylindrical 3 mm and 16 mm pellets. Dry ice pellets are packed into clean isothermal containers or other isothermal tanks.
We also offer to purchase the equipment necessary for dry cleaning. We are a distributor of Danish company “Ice Tech” in Lithuania and other Baltic States. The necessary equipment is leased and delivered to any city in Lithuania.
Taip pat, siūlome įsigyti sausajam valymui reikalingą įrangą. Esame Danijos įmonės „Ice Tech“ įrangos platintojas Lietuvoje ir kitose Baltijos šalyse. Reikalingą įrangą nuomojame ir pristatome į bet kurį Lietuvos miestą.
Fields of industry
Food industry
Food products frozen by using dry ice do not accumulate moisture, therefore, their nutrients are preserved and the expiry period is extended (solid carbonic acid forms the environment that prevents from the proliferation of microorganisms, therefore, the products contain no mould and bacteria and such environment is not suitable for insects and rodents to live). Dry ice is usually used for cooling drinks (for example, in restaurants and cafes) or decoration of a festive table by creating an impressive smoke effect (when putting approx. 2.5 kg of dry ice into 15-20 litres of hot water, a very thick mist is visible for 5-10 minutes). Furthermore, dry ice is used for storage and transportation of food products (such as chocolate, ice-cream, frozen products, meat) as well as pharmaceutical products, vaccines, organs and blood.
Cleaning (blasting).
Dry ice is used for cleaning surfaces contaminated with oil, paint, fat, varnish or resin. By using a flow of dry ice, the surfaces are blasted very gently without causing any damage. It is a fast and very useful technology applied in various fields of industry. More information on cleaning with dry ice: Blasting of surfaces.
Medicine.
Dry ice can be used as an alternative for nitrogen when freezing and removing warts.
Construction.
Dry ice is used not only for blasting facades and floor, but also to detach tiles from the surface they are glued to (frozen tiles tend to split) and to repair the pipes without valves (the water is frozen inside the pipes).
Metalworking
When casting metals by using sand moulds, CO2 is used as a binding material. Dry ice can be used for temporary reduction of the dimensions of metal parts in order to place them into other parts. For example, it enables to fit bearing on the axis.
Fire-fighting
Dry ice can be used as a fire-fighting mean: in case of fire, ice removes oxygen, suppresses the source of fire and cools down the place of fire. When dropped to burning petrol, several pieces of dry ice extinguish the fire.
Safety
When working with dry ice, the amount of carbon dioxide increases in the environment (the carbonic acid changes its solid state into vapour). High concentration of carbon dioxide can cause a headache, respiratory disorders, vomiting and even a loss of consciousness, therefore, the room should be well ventilated. In order to avoid cryogenic frostbites, it is important not to take dry ice with bare hands, i. e., it is necessary to wear gloves. In order to avoid health risks, it is recommended to download the material safety data sheet and observe provided instructions.