Dry ice machine saves hours of labour intensive cleaning

Citation

(2003), "Dry ice machine saves hours of labour intensive cleaning", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 75 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2003.12775aad.010

Dry ice machine saves hours of labour intensive cleaning

Dry ice machine saves hours of labour intensive cleaning

Keywords: Surface Preparation, Cleaning

USF Surface Preparation has launched the CoolBlast range of dry ice cleaning machines, which, by reducing labour intensive and time consuming cleaning dramatically, will it is believed bring massive benefits to many industrial sectors (Plate 9).

Dry ice cleaning uses solid CO₂ pellets as a blast media to remove grease, dirt, paint, graffiti and other deposits without damaging the substrate or leaving any residue. Unlike other blast cleaning methods, dry ice pellets disappear into the atmosphere as inert CO₂ gas immediately after impact, leaving just concentrated contaminant which can be disposed off easily.

Plate 9 New dry ice machine saves hours of labour intensive cleaning

This means that the process can be used where chemicals, water, flying media or contamination cannot be tolerated such as aerospace parts.

USF CoolBlast machines comprise an acid resistant, insulated stainless steel dry ice storage tank and an automatic dispenser unit which injects the pellets into a compressed air stream.

From here the pellets are transported through a feed hose to a blast gun which can be fitted with a range of nozzles to suit every application. An operator directs the pellet/compressed air stream at the surface, cleaning the contaminants effectively and in an environmentally friendly way. A machine mounted control panel with digital displays and safety switches, completes the equipment package.

CoolBlast machines are fully portable, require only compressed air and a 240 V electrical supply and can be used anywhere with reportedly no inconvenience or danger to employees or the public. They can be used in normal working times and in the case of machinery, no dismantling is required. This is particularly relevant to mould or form users which can be cleaned of release agent without cooling, dismantling or reheating.

The range includes four versions with dry ice capacities ranging from 10 to 26 kg. Supplies of dry ice pellets are available from stock at USF Surface Preparation in 200 kg capacity insulated boxes which guarantee a product shelf life of 7 days if stored correctly.

Details available from: USF Surface Preparation. Tel: +44 (0) 161 9286388.