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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ice
Blasting?
Ice blasting is the smart solution for companies concerned with minimizing waste
produced during industrial cleaning applications. Compared to other blast
cleaning processes, ice blast reduces secondary waste by up to 95%. Ice blasting
is a simple, non-abrasive, cleaning process that capitalizes on ordinary tap
water, compressed air and electricity to create an environmentally-friendly,
cost effective method for tackling industrial cleaning jobs.
How
does Ice Blast work?
Within 70 seconds from pushing the
start button the ice blast machine is ready for work. Crystalline ice particles
are produced continuously at a rate of 200 pounds per hour. Using a two hose
system, ice particles are transported through a low pressure hose to the
blasting nozzle where a second higher pressure hose delivers up to 200 psi to
accelerate the ice particles towards the target surface. The solid ice particles
displace surface contaminants by imparting the energy from the impact and from
the lateral deformation of the ice particles. Melting after impact, the ice then
flushes away the debris. This "Scrub and Flush" process is what makes
ice blasting effective.
How
does Ice Blast reduce waste?
Ice Blast uses only 20 US gallons of ordinary tap water converted into
crystalline ice particles per hour. Upon impact, the ice particles explode,
turning approximately half of its solid mass into vapor and the other half into
liquid. The amount of liquid residual for collection will vary with the relative
humidity and evaporation rate of the ambient atmosphere. Typical liquid residual
from ice blasting ranges from 2 to 10 gallons per hour.
How
is Ice Blast different than abrasive or water blasting?
Ice Blasting
does not generate dust common with most abrasive media blasting operations. This
is especially important for operators involved in lead based paint or asbestos
abatement jobs where airborne particulate levels must remain low. Ice Blasting
is non-abrasive and will not leave a profile (*on most substrates).
Typical water blasting
operations produce 1 to 6 US gallons per minute (60 to 360 US gallons per hour)
of liquid that generally needs to be contained and collected. At 10 gallons per
hour a large cost-reduction factor in containment and disposal, especially of
hazardous materials, can be realized with Ice Blast.
How
is Ice Blast different than Dry Ice (CO2)?
For one, dry ice blasting requires the
purchase of a blast media i.e. CO2. This comes in either block or pellet form
that requires insulated storage and handling. Also, dry ice has a relatively
short shelf life; it disappears, or loses its mass, by sublimation during
transportation, storage and handling at up to 10% per day. Ice Blast does not
produce CO2 during operations, making it safer to use in confined areas or where
adequate ventilation is an issue.
Where
do I purchase the blast media?
Blast media for ice blast is purchased
from your local water utility company. Simply connect a ¾" water line
(literally a garden hose) from your tap to the ice blast machine. Water is
available 24 hours a day and is very inexpensive compared to purchasing blast
media of any type.
Can
Ice Blast strip paint?
Yes and no. Ice blast uses the energy released upon impact to overcome a
coating's cohesive bond. If this "bond" cannot be overcome then ice
blast will not be effective without the use of a softener. Conditions which
affect the strip rate can include the blast pressure used, the thickness of the
coating, substrate profile, adhesion strength, and age of the coating. Ice blast
has been effective in removing paint coatings from a variety of substrates
without substrate damage, however the strip rate will vary greatly.
Can Ice Blast
be used on wood?
Ice blast has been used on wood successfully where lead based coatings had to be
removed prior to the demolition of the structure. But, frankly speaking, wood is
one of the few substrates that ice blast will erode. The deciding factor for
using ice blast on afore mentioned project was ice blast's low volume of waste
generated (in regard to containment and collection), no blast media to purchase,
worker safety features, and its ease of operation.
Can
Ice Blast remove rust?
Because it is non-abrasive process, deep-seated rust is difficult to remove
completely and a profile will not be generated on the substrate. We recommend
using a rust converter primer once the loose rust has been removed with ice
blast.
Can
Ice Blast be used on glass?
Yes. Ice Blast has been successful in removing paints, grease, oil, grime, and
other contaminants from a variety of glass surfaces, including windows, gauge
panels and controls. However, care must be exercised when blasting on these
surfaces to avoid shattering. Typically the blast pressure is turned down and a
longer stand-off is required.
Where
is Ice Blast used?
There are five markets that UIBI is focusing on with the Ice Blast process:
Precision Cleaning & Deburring, Industrial Cleaning & Decontamination,
Lead & Asbestos Abatement, Nuclear Decontamination, and Vessel Maintenance.
Our customer base keeps finding new uses for the Ice Blast cleaning process.
What
other equipment is needed?
A source for water, air and electricity are needed to operate the ice blast
machine. Standard water supply is ¾" potable water line normally found in
all plants and facilities. Normal air supply is 300 scfm at 150 psig, however,
blast pressures up to 220 psig can be used for faster cleaning rates on stubborn
contaminants and coatings. Depending on the operating environment an
after-cooler may be needed to keep the compressed air supply in the optimum
range of 100° F. We recommend using a water separator in excessively damp or
humid operating environments and/or an air filter to reduce excessive compressor
blow-by. Ice blast systems require 3 phase power, typically 480 volt, 60 cycle.
Optional voltages are available for our overseas customers.
What
is the maximum operating radius of Ice Blast?
To obtain the best results, a maximum
length of 200 feet of hose is used. This offers a 400 foot radius around the
machine. Our customers tell us they have employed up to 300 feet of hose but
this is not generally recommended. Additionally, a vertical height of 70 feet is
recommended. Again our customers tell us they have run the hoses 85 feet high
and 200 feet away from the machine with few operating problems. The MX-90 model
was designed to afford portability, it is recommended that the machine is moved
closer to the work area to stay within the 200 foot recommendation.
Can
Ice Blast be used in cold environments?
Yes.
Ice blast has been successfully used outdoors in environments down to 18° F
(* some additional set-up is required). If your application requires the use of
Ice Blast in excessively cold areas, our service personnel will gladly provide a
few simple solutions to keep the equipment running continuously.
How
much regular maintenance is needed?
Not much. The MX-90 portable unit is designed to run 24 hours per day, 7 days
per week. If the operating environment is dusty we recommend cleaning the
condensing coils simply by rinsing with the same water supplied to the machine.
There is one air filter inside the MX-90 that will need to be changed
periodically.
What
safety issues are there with Ice Blast?
Like all blasting type operations,
worker safety should not be compromised. The system can generate up to 115 db at
the nozzle when the higher velocity air meets the slower velocity ice particles.
Eye and ear protection is mandatory during blasting. Respiratory protection is
recommended. Protective clothing can range from simple Tyvek suits to keep
general debris off the worker to full chemical gear when cleaning hazardous
materials. Generally, light rain gear is used for most blasting operations. As
with all blasting operations the blast nozzle should never be pointed at anyone
or serious injury can occur.
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