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kbd512

Administrator

Registered: 2015-01-02

Posts: 7,853

CO2 / Dry Ice Cleaning

I've recently watched several videos on YouTube wherein recycled CO2 / "dry ice" was used to clean metal and plastic, particularly engines, transmissions, engine bays, and the undersides of vehicles using compressed air and bits of dry ice to blast the surface clean.  I've seen very few other methods of cleaning wherein the blasting agent would clean the surface completely, but wouldn't even mess up the paint if it was a painted surface, and was equally safe for use on Aluminum, cast Iron, plastic, composites, and wiring.  Surface rust / dust or dirt / road grime / tar-based undercoating is removed, but the blasting process does appear to alter the surface finish of soft metals or plastics or chip off paint.

Pure CO2, rather than toxic chemicals that can damage metal or plastics, while posing a severe health hazard to humans and other living organisms, or abrasives that change the surface finish quality and can mess up high tolerance bearing surfaces from contact with abrasive that hasn't been thoroughly removed, appears to be a top notch cleaning agent.  Even vapor honing (sand blasting with the abrasive mixed into water) changes the surface finish, albeit normally considered an improvement since it closes up pores in metal castings, akin to how steel shot blasting improves the surface finish and mechanical properties of cast Iron.

The bottom line is that CO2 is a cost-effective way to make high cost machines last longer by removing surface corrosion and dirt.  With routine cleaning, the potential exists to stop consuming paints and petroleum-based products to protect the surface of metal.  While this clearly won't work acceptably well in all cases, dry ice cleaning might just be a viable environmentally friendly alternative to other chemicals.

Edit (example video showing dry ice cleaning of a car, inside and out):
How Dry Ice Is Used To Deep Clean Cars | Cars Insider

Last edited by kbd512 (2023-12-30 20:16:45)

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 19,383

Re: CO2 / Dry Ice Cleaning

For kbd512 re new topic!

This entire topic seems (to me at least) a good fit for the windshield wiper discussion (for Mars) that took place in 2023.

One of the participants offered the suggestion that just blowing "air" against the windshield would be sufficient to keep the windshield clear of dust.

Your opening post seems to support that idea.  I am guessing the "air" that is blown against the windshield should itself be free of dust.

(th)

Void

Member

Registered: 2011-12-29

Posts: 7,817

Re: CO2 / Dry Ice Cleaning

Thanks kdb512, good find.

Done

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End

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,431

Re: CO2 / Dry Ice Cleaning

This is not a new use as its been used for quite some time and is becoming more widely used. It is being used on submarines along with other places.
Carbon_dioxide_cleaning

CO2 Cleaning

Cold Jet is the global leader in innovative dry ice technologies that put recycled CO2 to work for a cleaner, healthier planet.

tahanson43206

Moderator

Registered: 2018-04-27

Posts: 19,383

Re: CO2 / Dry Ice Cleaning

For SpaceNut re #4

We are indebted to kbd512 for bringing this 1930's era invention to our attention.

We do not need to point out that a contribution by a member is about some older technology. 

I ** really ** liked the Cold Jet link, and took a look at the Wikipedia article.

What ** you ** can do is to see if you can figure out how adapt this 1930's era invention to the problem of keeping a windshield clear of dust during a Mars dust storm.  This will take mechanical engineering skills, and not just a few words tossed out into the forum.

A key consideration is how to deploy the jet, and whether to go for "snow" effects, or just use filtered CO2 "air" as you suggested elsewhere.

(th)

SpaceNut

Administrator

From: New Hampshire

Registered: 2004-07-22

Posts: 29,431

Re: CO2 / Dry Ice Cleaning

This same thing works with other liquid phase change gasses as its move's dirt through the upholstery to be able so that it can be removed. It is similar to deep cleaning steam in that regards.
The forum has discussed using the gas to move dirt adhered to the space suits in an air Locke to washing of clothing.