Innovative Dry Ice Blast Cleaning Systems

Air Supply / Compressors                                                                                                                                                 

Pressures / Volumes needed to work with CMW Dry Ice Blasting Systems

Industry Applications: requires normal dry air.

The vast  majority of  industry’s use  of Dry Ice Blasting  -  Cleaning Systems  is  done  with  existing in-house  compressed  air supply. Pressure/ Volume: 6 - 8 bar (85 -115 psi) with an air volume flow of 4.5 - 6.5 m3 per minute (160 - 230 cfm) are commonly available and sufficient for most cleaning applications.

Industrial Cleaning Service Providers: requires normal dry air.

Pressure/Volume: Up to 12 bar (175 psi) with  approx. 9 -10 m3  (315 – 350 cfm)  volume are  ideal . Mobile  diesel compressors,  such as  the KAESER M-121, the Atlas Copco XAHS-186 or similar  units  from  other  brands,  provide  for a  broad  range of  service applications. The compressor should include an After Cooler and Water Separator  (if not included, these  items need to  be employed  separately).  For very humid areas  we  recommend an  additional  Cyclone Filter, such as the ELIMINIZER series made by Reading Technology/USA.

Diesel Compressors & After Coolers: mandatory for use with compressors not fitted with such a unit. Your Compressed Air Shop / After Cooler supplier will also advise you on a proper one or two stage water / oil filter set up.

First, diesel compressor air  is HOT.  Generally the  outlet temperature of  a diesel compressor will  be 100°F (55°C) hotter  than ambient. On a 80°F (27°C) day the compressor air will exit at 180°F (82°C). That temperature will rapidly deteriorate  not only standard air hoses  but also the diaphragms  and seals within the blasting equipment.

Second, diesel compressor air  is WET. As the compressor  pulls in air from the atmosphere it  is also pulling all the humidity  with it. The combination of  humidity, high engine temperature and pressure results in very hot air, that is super saturated with water vapor.

Third, diesel compressor air contains OIL from the lubrication system of  the compressor. Although the compressor  has an air / oil separator, it is really designed to conserve the oil for the  compressor not  remove the oil for  the consuming appliances. For most  equipment used with diesel compressors this is not a problem, but Dry Ice Blast Cleaning equipment does not tolerate excessive oil in the air supply.

Air cooled  After Coolers  are the  economical way  to cool compressed  air and  remove water  vapor  to safe, usable  levels for  all regular  Dry  Ice  Blast  Cleaning applications. They also prepare the air for further filtration and drying  when necessary.

Compressed air is cooled to within 5 - 20⁰F (3 - 11⁰C) of the ambient temperature. As the compressed air cools, up to 80% of the water vapor condenses to a liquid, which then can be filtered out.  After Coolers are not expensive. In most locations they can be bought for less than US$ 1,000.- (Euro 1,000.-).

Power Industry:  working with  Heavy Electrical Rotating  Machinery  (generators or motors, etc.)  requires  the  driest  air quality  to  avoid  unwanted condensation during the blast cleaning process. Therefore, additional equipment is needed…..

Pressure/Volume: 3 - 6 bar (45 - 85 psi )with up to 5 m3 (175 cfm) per minute are needed. This  pressure can be supplied via a  mobile diesel or electric compressor unit. The compressor should include an After Cooler and a Water Separator Filter (if not included, these items need to be employed separately). A Refrigerator Dryer Unit, capable of handling air volumes up to 5 m3 (175 cfm), installed between compressor and blast cleaning unit, is a must.  Additional water filter(s) of 2 - 5 micron may have  to be  used, depending on  humidity conditions  present at the  work site. Work  Blast Air used,  should  have a  temperature  of not  less  than 15 - 20oC (59 – 68oF) above ambient temperature.

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