When you think of dry ice you likely think of stage effects at a concert, Halloween haunted houses or even fancy “smoking” cocktails. While dry ice can be used for amazing visual effects, there is so much more to it. Let’s take a look at what dry ice is, where the raw material comes from, how it is made and some of the uses for it outside of the ones mentioned above.

Trident Restoration is a full-service restoration company that offers 24/7 Emergency Services for water, fire, mold, and storm damage. They are one of the many companies that use Cold Jet dry ice blasting technology to complete their jobs. They have used the Aero® 40FP, one of our dry ice blasting machines, for over 8 years, and plan to grow their inventory with some new machines when they expand! See below for a Q&A with the Vice President of Trident Restoration, Eric Long.

Smart technology is shifting the way many industries orchestrate their processes, and Cold Jet is no exception! Let's dive into how advances in connected technology are changing our approach to dry ice blasting.

We're always proud when someone in the Cold Jet family accomplishes something great and exemplifies our culture. Here are just a few noteable highlights from the last quarter of Cold Jetters who have shown stand-out performance.

Where do I get dry ice?

Dry ice pellets or blocks can be ordered from industrial gas suppliers, welding supply companies and other regional suppliers. Dry ice can be picked up directly from suppliers, or most major metropolitan areas have regular delivery trucks that cover 100 mile radiuses. Dry ice can also be shipped using a common carrier and it is delivered in insulated containers.

You can also produce your own dry ice with a pelletizer.  Read more about producing your own dry ice below.

Dry ice blasting requires a simple setup

Along with your dry ice blasting machine, the systems will come complete with a blast and air hose, an applicator and a nozzle that is best suited for your application.

If you’ve heard of dustless blasting, you know it’s becoming the preferred choice for surface preparation and corrosion/coating removal.  While the title “dustless” blasting is a bit of a misnomer, given that it’s impossible to deliver completely dustless blasting when abrasive blasting is needed, there are solutions out there that drastically reduce dust clouds.

When utilizing a portable diesel compressor in your dry ice blasting operation, it’s important to take the appropriate steps to ensure you’re using dry air. Diesel compressors often supply hot and moist air, which can alter the integrity of your dry ice and hamper the performance of your dry ice blasting system.

Reducing water usage, especially in cleaning processes, is becoming a major initiative in industrial and manufacturing settings.  Not solely from an environmental sustainability perspective, but also for cost cutting purposes.