Cryogenic cleaning is a process in which particles of solid carbon dioxide are propelled at a high velocity to impact and clean a surface.
Raditional cleaning methods like bead blasting and sand blasting clean through a chiselling action, much like using an ice pick often damaging the substrate.
Cryogenic cleaning on the other hand might be compared to a spatula as it lifts the contaminant away.
Illustration of the cleaning:
The dry ice penetrates below the pollutant and instantly expands because of conversion from the solid to the gaseous state.
This sublimation creates a wave of compression tension between the contaminant and the substrate.
The carbon dioxide evaporates relocating the pollutant, which typically falls to the ground.
Traditional Cleaning Methods
Solvent Cleaning
Affects the insulation
Not environmentally friendly
Post dry out required
Steam Cleaning
Abrasive in nature
Moisture Ingress
Post Dry out in an oven mandatory
How it works ….
Step # 1 - Energy Transfer : Dry ice is propelled outside the blasting at high speeds to impact the surface. The force of this impact is the primary means of cleaning.
Step # 2 - Micro Thermal Shock : The cold temperature of the dry ice hitting the contaminant creates a micro thermal shock at -79 degrees centigrade thereby breaking the bond between the surface contaminant and the substrate.
Step # 3 - Gas Pressure : Sublimation of the dry ice on impact forces off the contaminant from behind because of expansion form the solid to gaseous state.
The advantages:
Post dry out not required
Not abrasive in nature does not damage the substrate
Ideal for in position cleaning – reduced down time