When it comes to industrial cleaning, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the modern water washing or sandblasting techniques. However, these procedures are not always suitable for all companies. In some cases it is necessary to use alternative technologies, and this is where the ability to innovate and exploit new solutions comes into practice. SEA has perfected an increasingly requested service that uses a completely innovative method: dry ice cryogenic cleaning.
The idea of using ice to remove residues actually began towards the middle of the last century to solve the cleaning problems in the aeronautical sector where sandblasting techniques had big disadvantages given that the machinery was made of alloys that were too soft to be cleaned with abrasives and the presence of electrical components made the use of sand dangerous.
But lately this has become increasingly widespread thanks to its considerable advantages, and this is how it works.
Cryogenic cleaning is a cleaning method that allows you to use physical reactions caused by contact with dry ice, a compound of carbon dioxide frozen at temperatures of almost -80 ° C, for the removal of dirt and residues from complex mechanisms. The procedure is similar to that of sandblasting operations, with the advantage of being more delicate, not at all abrasive and completely ecological.
Dry ice is blown with compressed air at a speed close to that of sound against the surface to be cleaned. Upon impact, the ice sublimates and immediately passes from a solid to a gaseous state. This change of state causes two reactions:
- Increases the volume of carbon dioxide by strengthening the effect of compressed air
- It absorbs heat from the affected surface making it contract: in this way the dirt loses adhesion and comes off.
Cryogenic cleaning is widespread in the industrial sector and is particularly recommended in some fields such as food, livestock, pharmaceutical and printing.
The advantages:
- Very high level of cleanliness
- Very fast compared to other methods thus reducing the costs drastically
- Can be applied in any civil and industrial operational context
- Zero environmental impact: no pollutants are used and there is no release of powder or residues into the air.