Dry Ice Manufacturing
Kelly Dry Ice manufactures solid dry ice blocks and dry ice pellets.
Kelly Dry Ice manufactures dry ice daily at our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania location. This process provides you with the freshest dry ice possible.
Dry Ice Solid Block
Our state-of-the-art dry ice block machine/press produces solid block that is 12 x 12 x 8 — 55 lb. blocks of dry ice. Blocks are available whole or custom cut.
Dry Ice Pellets
Our pelletizers produce standard 5/8” pellets (16mm) and 1/8” dry ice blasting pellets (3mm).
Sliced/Cut Dry Ice
Kelly Dry Ice provides custom cut dry ice to customer specifications.
Dry Ice Manufacturing Process
Liquid CO2 is piped to our dry ice machines where the liquid enters an expansion chamber. Inside the expansion chamber, the liquid CO2 flashes to gas. The rapid expansion from liquid to gas causes the temperature to drop rapidly and roughly half of the CO2 gas freezes into dry ice snow. The dry ice snow is then compressed into solid dry ice blocks, or into dry ice pellets.
Storing Dry Ice
Don’t store dry ice in air-tight containers. Dry ice can be stored in a picnic cooler or containers made from insulating foam to help slow the rate of sublimation. Fill open space with a cotton towel or newspaper to slow the sublimation. Dry ice will sublimate at any temperature above –109.3° F. The rate at which it sublimates can vary considerably depending on the quantity and form of the dry ice. A small amount of pellets will sublimate much more rapidly than a single large block. Dry ice containers should be kept only in places with good ventilation.
Dry Ice Disposal
Allowing dry ice to sublimate at room temperature is an effective way to dispose of it, but it’s important to take precautions to help prevent hazards.
- Make sure to allow dry ice to sublimate only in well-ventilated areas to avoid a harmful buildup of CO2.
- Do not leave dry ice unattended in public places.
- Never dispose of dry ice in a toilet, sink or garbage disposal. The extreme cold can damage plumbing.
- Avoid putting dry ice directly on tile or laminated countertops. The cold can weaken adhesives and cause cracking.
Dry Ice Frequently Asked Questions
Can dry ice cause carbon dioxide poisoning?
Dry ice can produce carbon dioxide as it turns from a solid to a gas. Carbon dioxide is in the air we breathe, but it makes up only a tiny percentage of it. At high concentrations, it has toxic effects. Carbon dioxide poisoning can be caused by dry ice in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces.
What are the symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning?
Rapid breathing is an early symptom of carbon dioxide exposure. Other symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning are similar to those of oxygen deprivation and include headache, dizziness and drowsiness.
Can I save dry ice in my freezer?
No. Dry ice turns to a gas at –109.3° F, so even a freezer will be far too warm to prevent that from happening. A good way to preserve dry ice is in a non-air-tight insulated container such as a chest or cooler, the thicker its insulation the better, stored in a well-ventilated location. Add cotton towels or newspaper to fill open space in the container to slow the rate of sublimation.
How to use Dry Ice for freezing
Place items on bottom of your cooler/container. Cover items with insulating material (i.e. newspaper, cardboard). Place Dry Ice on top of insulating material. Do not allow direct contact of items with the Dry Ice.
How to use Dry Ice for cooling
Place Dry Ice in the bottom of cooler/container. Cover with insulating material (i.e. newspaper, cardboard.) Place items on top. Do not allow direct contact of items with the Dry Ice.
Please see our safety instructions when handling dry ice