Due to its properties, dry ice has been widely used in various fields. It is used in the food and chemical industries, in medicine, cosmetology, to create spectacular shows and holidays, and in many other areas.
Work with this product requires prior preparation. You need to know in advance: how to store dry ice and what are its features.
Dry ice properties
Dry ice is called the solid form of carbon dioxide. Unlike ordinary ice, in natural conditions it turns into gas, bypassing the liquid form.
The transition to a gaseous state is called sublimation. In this case, the ice turns into a thick vapor that does not have a pronounced smell.
Even a short stay in the open air leads to sublimation. It happens fast enough. For example, when transporting the product in special containers, a volume loss of about 10% occurs in 24 hours. In case of violation of the necessary conditions, this indicator increases.
That is why it is important to know: how to store dry ice properly.
Rules and features of storage
For the storage of the product, special isothermal containers are used. They are made with multi-layer walls. The task of such boxes: to isolate dry ice from atmospheric air and to delay the process of sublimation as much as possible.
- A container for storing dry ice can be purchased immediately upon purchase of the product. Or also when buying, rent it for the right period. Many manufacturers provide this opportunity.
Attention! Refrigerators or freezers cannot provide the proper conditions for dry ice. With a much lower temperature, the product will sublimate anyway.
If you need to learn how to store dry ice at home without using a special container, then you can use the recommendations:
- Prepare containers from durable material: plastic or corrugated cardboard.
- Fill the entire inner surface with foam.
- Glue joints and cracks with adhesive tape.
- Close the homemade container also with foam, and then with a lid.
The storage location must be selected with the lowest temperature. It is desirable that this was a non-residential building with good ventilation.
Using the product indoors in large volumes can lead to a strong accumulation of carbon dioxide. This may cause dizziness or fainting.
Precautions for storage and use of dry ice
It is important not only to know how to store dry ice, but also to familiarize yourself with the rules for its use. Careless handling of the product is fraught with the appearance of burns or frostbite:
- Wear gloves on hand.They should be made of dense material. Thin, rubber gloves will be useless and will not serve as protection.
- It is advisable to protect clothing with all exposed areas of the body.
- Cover your face with a mask or wear glasses to protect your eyes.
- Do not place the product in an airtight, tightly closed container. The accumulation of carbon dioxide gradually increases the pressure inside the tank. This could cause an explosion. Or a person who opens the lid risks injuring his hands and face.
- The storage location for dry ice should not be accessible to children or animals.
- If some dry ice remains unused - it must be disposed of by complete evaporation.
In what form dry ice is acquired and used
The product is bought in various forms, depending on the purpose:
- Blocks or plates from 1 to 40 kg.
- Granules in the form of small cylinders.
- Fine fraction, with a diameter of 1.5 to 3 mm.
You can purchase the product from various manufacturers, sometimes immediately with delivery. If there is no place near where to buy dry ice, then you can make it yourself. But such a product is suitable only for home use and resembles snow rather than ice.
Dry ice must be purchased or made immediately before use.