Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2). It is a valuable part of temperature control across the food manufacturing industry. The unique properties of dry ice help make processing faster and more efficient without adding moisture or impacting production speeds. 

Below, we explore some of the key ways businesses can utilize dry ice and why it is such a beneficial tool for the food industry. 

The Main Types of Food-Grade Dry Ice

There are many ways to harness dry ice’s extremely low freezing temperature and its ability to sublimate from solid to gas. Made from carbon dioxide, dry ice is naturally tasteless, colorless and non-toxic, which makes it great for many food applications.

Opt for food-grade dry ice, which must be pure and exceed 99%. This ensures your products comply with regulations and are safe for consumption. 

Dry ice comes in various sizes, which can be more beneficial for specific uses, including:

Snow: As the smallest form of dry ice, snow is excellent for flash freezing when processing food. 
Pellets: Also quick-cooling and great for flash freezing, pellets are rice-sized granules that can be used in dry ice blasting.
Nuggets: Nuggets are larger and have a longer shelf life than snow or pellets, which makes them ideal for packing and shipping food products.
Slabs: With a slow sublimation rate, slabs of dry ice come in boards or strips, which is great for shipping. These can be made to fit airline catering trays to preserve food in tight spaces.
Blocks: Blocks are the largest form of dry ice, have the slowest sublimation rate and the longest shelf life. Grocery stores and ice cream parlors use blocks to keep their food products fresher for longer. You can also use blocks in shaved ice blasting. 

If you need help choosing the right form of dry ice for your food business, contact Meritus Gas Partners to speak with an expert.

Uses and Benefits of Dry Ice For Food Processing Businesses 

Dry ice’s different sizes make it a versatile product you can leverage at various stages of food manufacturing. Explore some of the key applications of dry ice in processing operations below.

Preservation

Dry ice is an advantageous tool for preserving food. Cryogenic or flash freezing uses snow or pellets of dry ice to rapidly freeze food products. To keep food frozen, slabs or blocks sublime more slowly for longer shelf lives. 

There are many benefits of using dry ice to preserve food, including: 

Better flavor and texture: By freezing produce quickly at the point of harvest, it locks in the flavor and texture for maximum freshness.
Reduced bacterial growth: The faster you freeze produce, the more you prevent bacteria from growing, ensuring you meet food quality standards. 
Longer shelf life: The extreme freezing temperature of dry ice preserves the quality of the product for longer.
Fewer chemicals: Using dry ice reduces the need to add harmful chemical preservatives to food.
Portability: Dry ice can help keep food products cold even when mechanical refrigeration is unavailable.
Quicker processing: Rapid freezing means you can streamline processing and reduce lead times to maintain peak freshness.

Transportation

Packing your food products with dry ice ensures they stay frozen on their way to your customers. This is vital for maintaining the quality of products like seafood, meat and ice cream, as any thawing or rethawing can affect the taste and texture of the food. 

Unlike regular ice, which melts into water, dry ice sublimes, meaning no liquid is left behind. This protects products from spoiling and ensures that the packaging remains dry. By preventing food or containers from deteriorating, you also comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Cleaning

Dry ice blasting involves propelling pellets of dry ice through a compressed air nozzle, cleaning surfaces at the speed of sound. When the extremely cold pellets of dry ice hit the surface, they rapidly decrease the temperature and cause any contamination to become brittle and fracture. Unlike sandblasting or cleaning methods, dry ice vaporizes immediately on contact, leaving a clean, dry surface. 

From oven belts to food mixers, dry ice blasting can quickly clean your food production lines to remove any grease, crumbs or wax buildup. This means you comply with FDA rules that state you must protect food products from contaminants and allergen cross-contact.

The benefits of dry ice cleaning in the food industry include:

Stay online: You can even use dry ice blasting with warm or still running equipment, reducing downtime. 
Waterless: This is good for moisture-sensitive products like bakery items, as no liquids are left behind. You also reduce water usage, which is good for the environment and your business’s utility bills. 
Deep clean with ease: Dry ice blasting is powerful and gets into hard-to-reach areas without needing extra tools or disassembly.
Non-corrosive: Without any abrasive chemicals, dry ice blasting is kinder to your machinery when carried out correctly. 
Mobile: Dry ice blasting equipment is compact and mobile, so cleaning schedules take less time and labor.

Another form of cleaning, shaved ice blasting, offers similar benefits. The difference is that it uses shavings from blocks of dry ice. This allows for a more sensitive clean, as the supply of dry ice is less dense. 

Pest Control

When sublimating, dry ice turns from solid carbon dioxide to gas. As this gas emanates, it becomes lethal for insects and pests. This requires a high concentration of carbon dioxide gas to be effective.

By using carbon dioxide’s natural properties to control pests, you avoid using chemicals. This is better for the environment, with no runoff or impact on food chains. At the same time, dry ice is non-toxic and leaves no residue, so it is safe to use around food without contamination. 

Using dry ice for pest deterrence also helps your business comply with regulatory agencies. The FDA stipulates that pests must not be allowed in any area of a food facility and that any management strategies must not contaminate any food, surfaces or packaging. Dry ice can be an effective way of achieving this. 

Find Your Nearest Dry Ice Supplier with Meritus Gas Partners

Dry ice has many uses across food manufacturing, from preservation to cleaning. It is an efficient way of ensuring you send out quality food products that meet compliance regulations and get to your customers in optimal condition.

At Meritus Gas Partners, we have built a network of independently run gas and welding supply distributors to provide the best solutions for your business. We prioritize timely deliveries and excellent customer service. Find a partner supplying food-grade quality dry ice near you today, or contact a Meritus expert to learn more. 

Dry ice blasting is a beneficial cleaning method for varying applications. This approach to industrial cleaning offers significant advantages that sometimes outweigh other cleaning solutions. Explore the different applications and uses of dry ice blasting in aerospace, food manufacturing and more, and how they compare to other cleaning methods. 

What Is Dry Ice Blasting?

Dry ice blasting or dry ice cleaning is a specialized method of cleaning surfaces with a device that blasts pressurized air. This air comes in the form of rice-sized crystals of frozen CO₂, making it similar to bead, sand and soda blasting. Even so, it differs from these approaches because it is more organic than other methods that use chemicals and leave waste behind. 

The Process of Dry Ice Blasting

When using this specialized equipment, small particles from the device blast off any dirt and contaminants on surfaces and industrial equipment. These particles are frozen gas, so they evaporate in the air, leaving only a clean surface. This process does not create secondary waste or dislodged contaminants that must be removed.

Dry Ice Blasting Equipment

Applications and Solutions of Dry Ice Cleaning

Dry ice blasting has been proven effective in various work environments. Here are a few instances of dry ice blasting in numerous industries. 

Electronics

If you need to clean electronics without using chemicals or water, dry ice blasting may be a suitable solution. This option helps you clean soot and dirt off devices with up to 29 kW, even with the power supply still connected. By periodically cleaning the necessary electrical components, you can avoid unexpected power failures and halts in production. 

Packaging Machinery

Dry ice blasting can be especially effective for packaging machinery. It effectively removes dirt and adhesive residue, improving package line flow and reducing the chance of unexpected shutdowns. With this cleaning method, operations can properly and regularly clean necessary components, resulting in greater cost savings.

Printing

In the printing industry, companies can clean ink boxes, rollers and trays easily. For example, a business may need to remove paper dust, powder, wet or dry ink or adhesive residues. Dry ice blasting can do the job without disassembling parts, helping reduce maintenance time and increase product quality. 

Moulds

If you require a gentle way to clean moulds during production, dry ice blasting can reduce downtime without causing damage to the mould surface. It can clean various mould types and finishes, including textured mould surfaces. Dry ice blasting allows moulds to last longer because it is more gentle than other abrasive methods. 

Buildings

With dry ice blasting, the inside of a building such as a factory can be cleaned without moving equipment or machinery. This method is in contrast to other chemical or water-based cleaning options that require equipment to be moved. In addition, using water or chemicals can damage the equipment or require you to dismantle machines.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Steam or water-based cleaning methods are not ideal in the pharmaceutical industry due to high standards for hygiene and cleanliness. For example, steam can attract bacteria and water may damage electronics. Dry ice blasting is non-abrasive and vaporizes upon contact with equipment, allowing you to effectively clean items and avoid damage. 

Industrial Cleaning

Industrial operations must often clean the remaining oil, grease and other contaminants from pipes, valves and process equipment. Industrial uses of dry ice blasting allow companies to create a cleaner work environment, improve operations and ensure accurate equipment and process inspections. Dry ice blasting differs from water-based cleaning solutions, which can lower the life span of metal equipment.

Manufacturing Processes

Businesses can use dry ice blasting for various applications in manufacturing processes, including removing debris and grime and cleaning sensitive electronics. With no need to disassemble equipment before cleaning, this method is particularly essential in manufacturing to maintain production uptime.

Food Industry

According to FDA standards, dry ice blasting is one of the only suitable methods for cleaning surfaces and appliances. This is especially true for dairy companies, coffee roasters, bakeries and snack food manufacturing businesses.

Dry ice is beneficial for cleaning various appliances, including stoves, ovens, cold storage, mixers and other conveyors that food touches during production. After dry ice blasting, food touching these surfaces will be free of any odors, adverse tastes or toxins.

Aerospace Industry

Dry ice blasting helps avoid accidents with electrical components surrounding wiring, control panels, carbon materials, sealants and aviation grease. Operations in the aerospace industry can maintain employee safety and keep the workspace clean using this method.

Dry Ice Blasting vs. Sand and Bead Blasting

Sand blasting is a cost-effective method for total restoration of metal and removing paint or rust by shooting glass beads or a similar material. While faster and more effective than manual and power sanding, it is often more abrasive and may damage materials.

Dry ice blasting is more gentle, making it safe to use on glass, engine parts, painted panels and chrome trim. This method is particularly beneficial when removing oil stains, extreme grime and tarnishes. While this cleaning solution requires more time than sand blasting, there is less damage and no need to clean up particles after the process is complete. 

Additional Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting

Dry ice blasting solutions allow you to clean sensitive equipment and delicate electronics in a non-abrasive way — resulting in less damage and electrical shorts. This cleaning method also effectively removes dirt and improves longevity and performance, making it the perfect solution for expensive and intricate machinery. 

For facilities that must meet USDA and FDA standards, dry ice blasting is the ideal choice. It is non-toxic, tasteless, colorless and odorless, and follows the requirements of both the FDA and USDA regarding food-grade quality.

From an environmental perspective, dry ice uses reclaimed CO₂ which is collected and recycled from various industrial processes. As a result, it is a more eco-friendly cleaning option compared to other methods that use plastics and other non-renewable materials.

Cleaning via dry ice blasting results in reduced labor costs, improved productivity, enhanced worker safety and prolonged equipment life span. For these reasons, the cost of dry ice blasting is well worth the investment.

Contact Meritus Gas Partners Today

At Meritus Gas Partners, we have various dry ice blasting solutions available for purchase in blocks, pellets and more. Meritus Gas Partners is a leading company that sells gas and welding equipment with assistance from independent suppliers that offer dry ice and other gases.

Find a dry ice blasting partner near you or contact us today to learn more about our dry ice cleaning solutions. 

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Dry ice is very different from the ice we get when water freezes. As solidified carbon dioxide, dry ice has the same chemical formula as carbon dioxide gas — CO2 — just in a different form. Because dry ice is extremely cold, it has many practical uses. 

Medical professionals sometimes use dry ice as an alternative to liquid nitrogen. Doctors can use the substance in minor surgeries to remove skin imperfections and to store various biological samples to keep them fresh. Dry ice is an essential tool in the food industry, seeing use by restaurants, supermarkets and commercial kitchens to meet food storage and preparation regulations. In shipping, dry ice keeps perishables cold and fresh until they reach their destination.  

While dry ice clearly is valuable for many different applications, anyone handling it must do so with care. Working with dry ice without following safety precautions or proper storage guidelines can lead to severe injuries.

This comprehensive guide will cover how to handle dry ice, including the proper ways to store, transport, ventilate and dispose of it. 

Understanding Dry Ice

Dry ice is produced by cooling and pressurizing carbon dioxide gas to get it to solidify. Carbon dioxide gas solidifies at extremely low temperatures. While ice forms at 32°F (0°C) — water’s freezing point — dry ice forms at minus 109.3°F (minus 78.5°C).

Properties and Applications  

Other key properties and characteristics of dry ice include: 

Nontoxic: Carbon dioxide is considered nontoxic, so CO2 gas and dry ice are safe for food-related applications like preserving perishables. Because dry ice is nontoxic, it is also safe for certain medical uses.  
Sublimation: The characteristic fog effect dry ice produces happens due to sublimation — CO2 transitions directly from a solid to a gas without melting and becoming liquid. That means it doesn’t leave a mess behind in the same way as regular ice.
Carbonation: Carbon dioxide forms carbonic acid when it combines with water. Manufacturers can use dry ice to carbonate drinks, giving them their fizziness. 
Nonconductive: Dry ice is nonconductive and therefore safe to use with electrical components. 

CO2’s unique properties make dry ice an ideal substance for a range of different use cases beyond those mentioned here: 

As a freezing and cooling agent for medical supplies, lab samples, pharmaceuticals and food. 
For dry blasting — an eco-friendly, nonabrasive cleaning method. Dry blasting prepares surfaces by removing contaminants and is widely used in manufacturing. 
As a pest control method — temperature drops can help eliminate pests, so placing dry ice in strategic areas like burrows or nests can mitigate an infestation. 

Hazards

Due to some of its extreme properties — like its very low temperature — there are hazards associated with using dry ice:

Frostbite: Temperatures at or below 31°F (minus 0.55C) can lead to frostbite, so there is a high risk of severe frostbite if dry ice comes into direct contact with skin. Dry ice will constrict blood vessels, freeze skin cells and cut off blood supply to the point of contact, potentially leading to irreversible tissue damage with continued exposure.
Asphyxiation risks: Dry ice sublimates, or changes from solid to gas, at temperatures above minus 109 °F. Sublimation can release substantial volumes of CO2, and CO2 displaces oxygen. If the amount of CO2 present in an area becomes too great, it can make breathing difficult and lead to loss of consciousness or death.  
Explosion: Dry ice can release large volumes of CO2 gas and cause high pressure in a closed container. If not stored correctly, the container can explode as the pressure builds. A dry ice explosion can cause serious damage. 

Proper Handling Techniques

The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) works directly with regional, state and federal agencies to promote gas-related safety practices and regulations. The CGA also outlines specific guidelines for handling CO2 according to health and safety standards. Implementing adequate safety measures when handling dry ice is essential to avoiding injury. Observe the following guidelines for dry ice storage, disposal and transport to protect yourself and anyone else in the vicinity. 

Storage and Transportation

Industries use dry ice for storing and transporting goods that need to be kept fresh, including food, pharmaceuticals and biological samples. By law, dry ice is a hazardous material, and anyone handling it must have the correct training to do so. All shipping companies have specific guidelines for transporting hazardous materials. Additionally, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has the following Materials of Trade (MOT) regulations in place: 

The CGA Dry Ice Safety Resource Center recommends always checking CO2 concentrations before entering a storage area. 
You must mark packages to show they contain dry ice. 
There is a limit on how much dry ice you can transport at any one time — 440.93 pounds (200 kilograms).
Packages containing dry ice must have a design that allows CO2 gas to escape to prevent pressure buildup and subsequent container explosions. 
Packages with dry ice must be entirely separate from the main cabin of the vehicle. 
You must take measures to secure the package against movement and damage. 
The driver and all occupants of the vehicle must be aware of the presence of dry ice and know MOT regulations.  

Another important safety tip for moving dry ice is not to set the ice directly into empty glass containers or on surfaces like countertops. The extreme difference in temperature can crack the surface or container. 

Avoiding Skin Contact

It’s imperative to avoid direct skin contact when working with dry ice, as it can cause frostbite very quickly. Although a very brief touch may not necessarily cause harm, no amount of contact is considered safe. Touching dry ice, even for just a second, may make skin red and sensitive, just like a hot burn. 

If you maintain contact with dry ice for longer than a second or two, your skin cells will start to freeze and die. Holding on to dry ice without protective gear will cause varying degrees of frostbite. Frostnip, a milder form, is what happens when the skin turns red or purple from brief exposure to extreme cold. Even though frostnip is temporary, it’s best to treat it immediately and see a health care professional to avoid any chance of lasting problems. 

Superficial or surface frostbite requires prompt medical attention. Signs of superficial frostbite include skin feeling warm, pins and needles in the affected area, blue and purple patches that resemble bruising, stinging and swelling, peeling, and blisters. 

The third stage of frostbite is deep, severe damage that affects subcutaneous tissue — the lower, deeper layers of skin. Severe frostbite makes skin completely numb and may make it impossible to move the affected area. Blisters will form and skin will become hard and black. This extensive tissue damage can cause additional complications due to lack of blood supply to the affected tissue, including secondary infections and gangrene. Severe frostbite is a medical emergency requiring urgent care.  

The danger in handling dry ice for even brief periods is that the numbness caused by the cold may prevent you from realizing that frostbite is setting in. Always follow these safety precautions to prevent the chance of dry ice burn: 

Do not handle dry ice with bare hands. Always use tongs, gloves and other insulated tools. 
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a lab coat and thermally insulated gloves (nitrile exam gloves will not provide sufficient protection). Also, wear safety goggles or a face shield to prevent corneal damage from dry ice accidentally contacting the eyes. In some instances, wearing a respirator may be appropriate. 
Never place dry ice in pockets, even if the clothing is insulated. 
Never ingest dry ice fragments. Dry ice can freeze the tissue in the mouth, throat and stomach, and the buildup of CO2 gas during sublimation can rupture the stomach. 

Ventilation Precautions

When you expose dry ice to room temperature, it sublimates, changing straight from a solid to a gas. Due to the potential dangers of sublimation, you need to take careful measures to ensure your dry ice storage area is suitable for the task. Never store dry ice in an airtight container, as the resulting buildup of gas will likely cause an explosion. Similarly, do not dispose of dry ice by throwing it in a sink, toilet or drain of any kind, as the pipes may freeze or burst. 

There is also the risk of asphyxiation as dry ice sublimates and displaces oxygen in the air. Exposure to large volumes of CO2 gas lowers the amount of oxygen in the body, which causes hypoxia. Symptoms of hypoxia include difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, confusion and bluish skin. 

To prevent explosions or asphyxiation, label all containers to show they contain dry ice, ensure that they are not airtight and store them in a space with ample ventilation. Do not store dry ice in confined areas like walk-in refrigerators. Only use packaging that has been designed specifically for holding dry ice, like a specially made cooler or insulated container. You can use Styrofoam coolers, as they are insulated but not airtight.

If you are storing large quantities of dry ice, consider monitoring oxygen levels in the area as an added safety measure.   

Safe Disposal

Having a safe dry ice disposal method is just as important as using safe handling practices. Dry ice will sublimate when you discard it, so you want to have a proper space for it to do so safely, such as an inaccessible outdoor area. You can take these steps to keep everyone in the vicinity safe:

Handle sublimating gas with the same care as solid dry ice. Only trained individuals in full PPE should dispose of dry ice. 
Keep dry ice on a suitable surface like Styrofoam or hard plastic while it sublimates. 
Let the ice sublimate in a well-ventilated area well away from children, pets and uninformed adults. Keep the area off-limits if you can. 
If your disposal area is indoors, open windows and doors to allow for proper ventilation.
Allow the ice sufficient time to sublimate completely — you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before checking it. You may need to wait longer depending on the volume of ice you have. 
Do not spend extended periods of time in the same area as the sublimating ice. Wear a respirator if there is a risk of extended exposure. 

FAQs

Where Can You Obtain Dry Ice? 

You can obtain dry ice from industrial gas suppliers, companies that supply welding industries and relevant regional suppliers. Some grocery stores may also carry dry ice. Depending on the supplier, orders can be collected directly or delivered regionally. If shipped, the dry ice will be transported in insulated packaging and in accordance with MOT regulations.

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How Long Does Dry Ice Last? 

The size of the block of dry ice you get and how you store it are some of the factors affecting how long it lasts. If you leave a small- to medium-sized block of dry ice out at room temperature, it will likely sublimate within three to five hours. However, you can keep your dry ice for longer by storing it in an insulated cooler (with sufficient venting). If you store two blocks of dry ice in a regular-sized Styrofoam cooler, it can last for around 24 hours. A large quantity of dry ice properly stored in a sizeable, thick Styrofoam cooler may last three to four days. 

What Are Some Common Mistakes When Handling Dry Ice? 

Some common mistakes when handling dry ice include not wearing appropriate PPE, storing it in a freezer or in a tightly sealed container, ordering more dry ice than what you need and disposing of it incorrectly. Another common error is purchasing the ice too far in advance, which results in it starting to sublimate before it can be used. For that reason, you should always aim to receive or collect a dry ice order only a few hours before you need it. 

Connect With Meritus Gas Partners for Gas Services

Following the proper procedures and recommendations for handling dry ice is a good business practice. By training staff, supplying PPE and emphasizing the significance of safe practices for using this substance, you can mitigate risks and protect your staff. You can also contact your local gas supplier to discuss your needs regarding dry ice. A knowledgeable supplier will be able to fill your order as well as provide the guidance you need to transport and handle it. 

At Meritus Gas Partners, our partners are reputable distributors in the industry that you can trust for your gas needs and welding supplies. Our partner businesses offer premium gas and welding solutions that empower you to improve your operations. 

You can visit any of our affiliated branches or contact us today with any questions for our expert team. We’ll connect you with efficient and helpful services, supplies and equipment from a partner near you.