Since 1995

Dry Ice Blasting

With no secondary waste and no toxins, dry ice blasting offers a faster, cleaner, gentler, and more efficient way to clean. In addition, the process is non-abrasive and non-conductive, meaning machinery will not only not be harmed, but can remain on and operational during the process.

AEG Environmental offers complete dry ice blasting services for a wide variety of applications. Our dry ice blasting services can be performed at your site or at our facility in Westminster, MD. For more than 20 years, we have been providing dry ice blasting services for clients in Baltimore, Northern Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

How does dry ice blasting work?

The Dry Ice Blasting process propels a rice-sized pellet of frozen CO2 through an airstream to impact a surface. Upon impact, the CO2 pellet sublimates, or vaporizes. The energy of that process causes the bond between the contaminant and the substrate to be broken. No cleanup is needed because the CO2 evaporates after impact, leaving no residue behind.

What are the benefits of dry ice blasting?

  • Items can be cleaned in place, without the need to turn off power
  • No secondary waste to dispose of
  • No abrasive damage to surfaces
  • Highly effective cleaning process
  • Non-toxic

How does dry ice blasting compare to other procedures?

Dry ice blasting is non-conductive, non-abrasive, non-toxic, and non-flammable. Since there is no secondary waste such as with sand, baking soda, walnut shells, corn cob, or water blasting, our process is much faster and cleaner than other cleaning methods. Dry ice blasting does not deposit media into sensitive areas of equipment and we can even clean hot surfaces in place. Because there is no conductivity, dry ice blasting can be used while machinery is still running.

Cleaning Method Secondary Waste Toxic Electrically Conductive Abrasive Effectiveness
Dry Ice Blasting No No No No Excellent
Sand Blasting Yes No No Yes Good
Walnut Shell Blasting Yes No No Yes Fair
Corn Cob Blasting Yes No No Yes Fair
Water Blasting Yes No Yes No Fair
Solvents/Chemicals Yes Yes Yes No OK
Power/Hand Tools No No No Yes OK

Can dry ice be used to clean up mold?

Yes, Dry Ice Blasting is great for mold remediation as it kills 99% of mold spores on wood. Dry Ice Blasting also kills organic contaminants and bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli.

What do the regulators say about dry ice blasting?

Dry Ice Blasting is approved by the EPA, FDA, and USDA, and can be used in AIB- and GFSI-inspected facilities.

What industries use dry ice blasting?

Dry Ice Blasting is used in the following industries:

  • Automotive: engine blocks, components, strip for painting, tire molds, welding slag removal, welding robots, jigs, CNC machines, molds, e-coat, paint, paint oven.
  • Building Maintenance: HVAC units, cables, escalators, chewing gum removal, brick cleaning, tire mark removal, marble cleaning, historical markers and monument cleaning, architectural detail cleaning and paint prep, pipe system cleaning, stone wall cleaning, ladders, ceiling fans, conduits, electric motors, mosaic cleaning, and much more.
  • Electrical: switch boxes, generators, insulators, electrical cabinets, chip cleaning.
  • Food Service: food-processing equipment, ovens, kitchen equipment, mixers, conveyors, floors, walls and restaurant hoods, roasters, conveyor chains, bins, drains, lighting, fans.
  • Industrial: heavy equipment, paint removal, repair prep, turbine cleaning, conveyor cleaning, asphalt tanker and underground tank cleaning, concrete, glue pots, paint pots, CNC machines, cooling towers, gears, extruders, rail cars, paint booths, injection molds, pits, stacks, steam lines.
  • Marine: vessels, tanks, hulls, intakes, engines, lower units, drives.
  • Pharmaceutical: boilers and tubes, cyclones, compressors, dryers, electric motors, ladders, stairs, ceiling fans, rafters, catwalks and mezzanines, heat exchanger (shell and tube), mixers, cooling fans, exhaust systems, palletizers.
  • Restoration: smoke, soot and mold removal from joists, walls, floors, and ceilings.

If you are looking for a cleaner, greener and more cost-effective way to clean, call AEG Environmental!

 P.O. Box 710 Manchester, Maryland 21102-0710