It's a revolutionary method of cleaning

Dry ice blasting is a revolutionary cleaning method, which is projected by high pressure a stream of dry ice in the form of compact and small particles (pellets), using it as a cleaning agent.

Figure 1

The singular of this material is that their particles become directly solid state gas (subliman) to make impact with a surface, without leaving residues. This means that the object of cleaning area is completely dry and free of secondary substances; so it does not affect the engines or electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic components of the machinery to clean up or attached to the area of cleaning. This fact makes that he is facilitated greatly the cleaning and maintenance of machinery, transmitters or conveyor belts, eliminating the need for disassembling and dismantling.

One aspect to consider is that the Jet's dry ice is not abrasive. This makes, on the one hand, it an applicable technique for cleaning of fragile such as nickel, chromium or soft aluminum material.

The main applications of blasting in the plastics industries sector are cleaning of spindles and headsets for extrusion of plastic sheeting. Below shows a comparative example between the traditional cleaning and blasting.

The traditional cleaning of a machine of extrusion that consists of a spindle of approximately 45 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm in length; and a (male and female) head of 160 mm in diameter, could last for 16 to 24 hours (where only the cleaning itself requires a stop of 8 hours in which must work in 2-3 operators).

To carry out the cleaning by means of blasting with dry ice, are beginning the task immediately after stopping production. And mat are mounted the spindle head while they are hot. The time required for cleaning would be approximately between 3 and 5 hours. After this period, you can proceed again reassembled the pieces to revive production as quickly as possible.

Before

Later

Figure 2. Before applying the blasting - after applying blasting.

Before

After

Figure 3. Before applying the blasting - after applying blasting.

• Air pressure: 8-12 bar

• Air consumption: 4.1 to 6.2 m3/min

• Dry ice consumption: 70 Kg/h of dry ice in pallets of 3 mm in diameter.

The application of blasting in the plastics industry has multiple advantages. This technique avoids the use of solvents or chemicals, therefore no secondary waste are generated and at the end of the process of projection, it is only necessary to collect and/or aspire detached dirt.

It is a process in dry it doesn't affect to the machinery or to the electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic components in production equipment. In addition, avoiding the use of brushes and spatulas that can damage the cleaned surfaces, because this process is characterized by the absence of abrasion.

Carrying out blasting are used for screening of dry ice machines brand IceTech, distributed in Spain by the company Frizonia (www.frizonia.com).