You may know of the dry ice as the mystical element that gives your Halloween decorations and parties a foggy magical effect. However, that is only one of the numerous uses this versatile cooling agent has to offer. Ranging from industrial to medical uses, fun to professional purposes, dry ice caters to many different requirements and is one of the most highly effective cooling agents.
Let us delve more into dry ice, its uses, and how to utilize and store it safely.
Dry Ice: What is it?
Dry ice is the solid-state or frozen form of Carbon Dioxide gas. It is manufactured by capturing carbon dioxide gas during industrial processes and then recycling it to be formed into dry ice. The primary purpose of this ice variant is to be used as a cooling agent for food and medicines. It is preferred over water-ice as it does not leave any liquid mess behind, and it also sustains a lower temperature, keeping your perishable article safe and well-preserved for a longer time.
Dry Ice: Uses
There is a wide variety of dry ice uses and applications. It is used for many different purposes, including industrial, commercial, medicinal, and domestic. Below we enlist some of the most common uses of dry ice.
Industrial Uses:
- Dry ice blast cleaning
- Metal fabrication and reduction
- Loosens asphalt floor tiles
- Degassing of flammable vapors
Commercial Uses:
- Food preservation
- Prevents insect growth
- Removes vehicle dents
- Plumbing
- Shipping of perishable items
- Agriculture
- Meat processing
- To fight fire
Commercial Uses:
- Food preservation
- Prevents insect growth
- Removes vehicle dents
- Plumbing
- Shipping of perishable items
- Agriculture
- Meat processing
- To fight fire
Medicinal Uses:
- Preserves medicines
- Preserves biological samples
- Ice caps for chemotherapy patients
- Freezes and removes warts
Domestic Uses:
- Preserves frozen foods
- Maintains the temperature of cold food and
beverages - Transporting food for trips and picnics
Party decorations - Mosquito and bugs traps
These uses are only the ‘tip of the ice.’ There are uncountable other useful purposes that can be achieved by using dry ice. Unfortunately, with the current global pandemic situation, the USA is also facing a shortage of carbon dioxide and, thus, dry ice. Consequently, several industrial and commercial sectors, including pharmaceuticals, are facing a lot of trouble and delays in their workflow. This shortage has further notified people of the importance of dry ice and Carbon Dioxide.
Dry Ice: Storage and Safety
Dry ice is useful and non-hazardous only when handled with care and by following the apt safety measures. The frigid temperature of -109.3°F (-78°C) maintained by dry ice is highly dangerous as it burns similar to frostbite. Moreover, it sublimes into CO2, a very hazardous and harmful gas if accumulated in high amounts. For that reason, you should be cautious and aware of the safety measures to take while storing and using dry ice.
Below are the fundamental safety guidelines to use dry ice effectively and harmlessly.
Storage Precautions:
- Avoid storing dry ice for longer periods and buy it close to your time of use.
- Transport dry ice in an adequately ventilated vehicle to avoid carbon dioxide poisoning by its accumulation in a closed space.
- Never store dry ice in an airtight or small container.
- Do not store dry ice in a regular and functioning freezer as it may be colder than your freezer thermostat can handle.
- Wrap your dry ice in a newspaper, Styrofoam, or any other insulating material to avoid fast sublimation.
- Never dispose of dry ice in its solid form. Leave it unwrapped at room temperature, and it will vanish on its own. Placing it in the garbage, sink, tub, or sewer may damage them
Handling Precautions:
- Always keep your hands covered while handling dry ice and never touch it with your bare skin. You can use oven mitts, thick towels, or insulated gloves to handle dry ice. If you fail to do so, then it will burn your hands as frostbite does.
- Never leave dry ice unattended with small children and pets.
- Do not let children use dry ice unsupervised.
- Never ingest dry ice.
Now that you know about the basics of dry ice, its marvelous uses, and how to handle it with safety, you’ll see that it’s quite an amazing ice variant. Whether you are going on a trip and want to preserve your perishables, or are looking for dry ice for any other use, Eureka Oxygen is the ultimate destination for you. We are here to deliver you the perfect solution for all your dry ice needs!