What is dry ice?

Dry ice is a solid phase of CO₂ (solid carbon dioxide), representing a white ice mass, which immediately turns into a gas when it "melts", bypassing the liquid phase. СО₂ crystallizes at a temperature below -78.3°С. At the same time, the main properties of the gas are preserved:

• lack of smell and taste;
• non-toxicity;
• incombustibility.

What are the properties of dry ice?

• dry ice temperature -78°C;
• tasteless and odorless;
• does not leave traces of melting when evaporated;
• sterile product, can be used for food purposes;
• not poisonous;
• fire hazard;
• has a fast and strong cooling effect;
• has the property of evaporating at temperatures above -78°С;
• in direct contact with the skin causes irritation and burns.

Safety rules

CO₂ gas itself is safe for humans, however, when working with its cooled version, the following measures must be observed:

• do not work without protective gloves, contact with the skin can cause frostbite (similar to burns);
• when storing and transporting large volumes of ice, the vehicle or premises should be regularly ventilated;
• do not allow contact with the skin;
• store in a place inaccessible to children;
• do not pour into pools or reservoirs and swim;
• do not stay for a long time in the room in which the sublimation (evaporation) of dry ice took place;
• after creating the "heavy smoke" effect, ventilate the room well;
• it is forbidden to use granules with food or drinks in utero;
• do not store or transport without special boxes.

Compliance with safety rules for handling dry ice is the guarantee of your life and health!

How to store dry ice?

To store carbon dioxide in a frozen state, it is necessary to maintain appropriate temperature conditions, otherwise the process of sublimation is inevitable. For example, if dry ice is stored in a regular freezer, the rate of evaporation is up to 10% per day.

Dry ice must be stored in insulated containers. The thicker the insulation, the less dry ice sublimation will be.

It is allowed to store dry ice in a freezer with the condition of ventilation once a day and in small volumes (up to 50 kg).

It is not recommended to store dry ice in a completely sealed container, as dry ice turns into carbon dioxide, which can cause an explosion in a completely sealed container.

Sublimated carbon dioxide has a molecular weight greater than that of air oxygen, so it "settles" in the lower layers of the room, which can lead to suffocation.

What are the areas of application of dry ice?

• industrial, where products need to be cooled. They are used in the meat processing and fishing industry. During outbound trade of ice cream or other perishable products;
  the transportation industry uses dry ice to transport food over long distances. Even airports cannot do without this component, providing them with thermoboxes that are able to keep fresh lunches during a long flight;
  restaurant business, since in the process of evaporation of ice carbon dioxide, dry white smoke is formed, this property is often used to create additional special effects when serving food and drinks;
  in medicine, it is used for transporting organs, blood, medicines, etc.;
  in the entertainment field, it is widely used to create special effects of smoke and fog at weddings, concerts, and children's events;
  used in research institutes when conducting experimental work that requires low temperatures;
  used in the machine-building industry for cold insertion of parts, hardening of special steels, storage of duralumin rivets;
  in the chemical industry, it is used for processing plastic masses, production of dyes, explosives, etc.

How to dispose of dry ice?

To dispose of solid carbon dioxide, it is enough to leave it outside or in a room with open windows and wait until it completely evaporates.