MANUAL for kg20 kg6 kg6 bAsic
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“ Drastic reduction of waste problems.
No abrasive effect. ”
DrY ice bLAsTiNg – HoW iT oPerATes
Method
dry ice blasting equipment uses small co
2
”par-
ticles” as the blasting medium – in the following
called dry ice pellets. (co
2
– the chemical denomi-
nation for carbon dioxide). liquid co
2
is expanded
in a special unit to co
2
snow. this substance is then
subjected to high pressure and is forced through a
matrix to create hard and uniform pellets of approx.
3 mm in diameter and 10 mm long.
these dry ice pellets have a temperature of
-79°c/110°f and when used for dry ice blasting
immediately change from solid to gaseous form on
contact with the object being cleaned, i.e. the pel-
lets heat up on impact. this change, from solid to
gaseous form, and the accompanying tremendous
expansion in volume, are among the factors which
result in the loosening of impurities.
the transportable dry ice blasting machine
contains a dry ice container and a dispensing unit
which forces the dry ice through a hose to the
blasting gun.
in the gun, the air stream is accelerated and with
it the velocity of the dry ice pellets. they leave the
nozzle of the blasting gun at very high velocity and
gain high kinetic energy (movement energy) before
striking the impurities.
The cleaning effect of Dry ice Pellets
the cleaning effect of dry ice is based on
three principles –
• the thermal effect
• the kinetic effect
• Volume expansion
•
Thermal effect:
dry ice pellets have a temperature of
-79°c/110°f and impurities are therefore cooled
down drastically: they shrink and loosen.
•
kinetic effect:
When dry ice pellets leave the blasting gun
nozzle they have high kinetic energy; an
important characteristic in removing deposits.
•
sublimation effect:
When a dry ice pellets impacts the object being
cleaned it is immediately transformed from solid
to gaseous form and its volume increases by a
factor of approx. 700. in the process, deposited
dirt become loose and brittle and is torn away
from the underlying surface.
in some cases the thermal effect will be the most
significant
(e.g. where
deposits
of
bitumen,
resin,
glue are involved), in other cases the kinetic effect
will be
the
most
significant
(e.g. on
brittle
deposits).
MANUAL for kg20 kg6 kg6 bAsic
dr
y
ic
e
bl
a
sting
eq
uipm
ent
fro
m
icetech
|
P
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ge
it is important that operators carefully follow the
safety regulations located on the machine or con-
tained in the manual. operators must read and un-
derstand the contents of the whole manual before
starting the machine.
the signs located on the machine are to remind
operators that use without risk depends on their
following all regulations, including those describing
work clothing.
Precautions during blasting
air, co
2
gas and dry ice pellets leave the gun nozzle
at a very high velocity (up to 300 m/s).
therefore,
• do not aim the nozzle at persons or in the
direction of places where other people work
• remember that the dry ice pellets can be
thrown back from the object being cleaned,
• do not aim the nozzle in directions where
damage might result.
the machine must not be used in “fun” and the gun
nozzle must
never
be aimed at persons or other
living creatures.
“ Dry ice blasting has some
important advantages over other
cleaning methods. ”
sAfeTY regULATioNs
general
this manual contains instructions and safety regula-
tions which must be followed on starting, operating
and servicing the dry ice blasting machine.
it is important that the manual be kept so that the
operators always know its exact location.
it is also important that the owner makes sure that
operators understand and follow the contents of the
manual.
Personnel Qualifications
personnel responsible for installation, servicing and
maintenance must be suitably
qualified
to perform
these functions. if personnel are not in possession
of
sufficient
knowledge
they must be
instructed
and
trained. such training can be arranged in coopera-
tion with the manufacturer of the machine.
the owner of the machine must ensure that the
person appointed to operate the dry ice blasting
machine fully understands and is able to follow the
safety regulations laid down in the following
pages.
the regulations must also be located on the
machine and should be carefully studied.
security and risk
the machine is constructed to comply with the
standards and clauses contained in the terms
of sale. therefore, provided the manufacturer’s
instructions are followed, the machine will not pose
any risk to operators.
