Where to get dry ice. Application of dry ice

For the first time, solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) appeared on the arena of history in 1835, thanks to the French scientist C. Tidorier. However, the idea found application only 90 years later, in the USA, ice was used to preserve food during rail transportation. By about 1932, the production of dry ice was put on stream.

Solid carbon dioxide is obtained by rapid evaporation of liquid carbon dioxide under reduced pressure. Outwardly, dry ice, of course, looks more like granules or bars of carefully compressed snow than solidified water.

Despite the extremely low temperature, it is not too noticeable for the fingers, which is associated with a protective layer of carbon dioxide formed upon contact. In fact, dry ice has twice the cooling capacity of standard ice.

Application of dry ice

It is widely used as a cooling element during, as well as transporting food products. In addition, it is used to obtain and maintain low temperatures in the conditions of research experiments and during test assemblies in the field of mechanical engineering.

Efficiency of using dry ice in Food Industry due to the carbon dioxide environment, which prevents the vital activity of microorganisms. In other words, the products are protected not only from moisture, but also from the appearance of mold, bacteria, insects and even rodents.

In addition to the aforementioned applications of dry ice, it should be noted: non-abrasive cleaning of all types of surfaces, bakery area (to slow the growth of yeast bacteria), emergency replacement of freezers in case of malfunction, carbonation of drinks, branding of livestock, removal of small areas of floor ceramic tiles, slowing down the flowering process, medicine, ritual services and much more.

For fun, you can press a metal spoon against a piece of carbon dioxide, which will cause an acoustic effect in the form of a squeak. This "phenomenon" is explained by microvibration during the sublimation of ice (transition from a solid to a gaseous state).

When dry ice granules are placed in water, an effect occurs that visually resembles the process of water seething. This is caused by the same carbon dioxide.

A piece of dry ice in a sealed container running water after shaking, it will turn ordinary water into sparkling water. If you exceed the amount of dry ice, an explosive effect is possible.

It is known that a few pieces of carbon dioxide are able to extinguish burning gasoline.

Dry ice is the solid form of the chemical carbon dioxide (CO 2), just as normal ice is the solid form of water (H 2 O). It is extremely cold (-78.5°C) and is therefore used in industry for various refrigeration and freezing purposes.

In fact, this substance has nothing to do with frozen water, that is, with ordinary ice, except for the ability to maintain or create low temperatures. This is a gas that, bypassing the liquid phase, becomes a solid.

dry ice at home

AT industrial scale it is produced by cooling carbon dioxide under high pressure. At home, these processes cannot be performed because they require special equipment and creating certain conditions. However there are some ways to cook it at home.

You can make it yourself with the right tools using a CO 2 fire extinguisher or a pressurized carbon dioxide bottle. If you follow certain precautions, this process will not take you much time and effort!

Purpose of the substance

This substance is used primarily as a coolant, but it can also be used for a variety of purposes, especially for creating fog in concert venues. It is used industrially to cool or freeze large quantities of fish, meat and other perishable foods. With its help, frozen products are transported in special containers to long distances. Sometimes it is used in movies to create the effect of "boiling water".

It is also used:

• in motorsport for engine cooling;
• in cooling mixtures;
• with the help of it slow down the melting of ice sculptures;
• in medicine to remove warts.

One of the most common applications is the generation of artificial smoke. All you have to do is connect it with water. When ice hits water, it produces a hissing sound and a lot of CO2 gas. This feature is often used for dances, concerts, and other places.

In addition to traditional applications, it is also used to control pests in gardens, such as moles, gophers and others that destroy your garden. To do this, place a few pieces of ice in each hole and cover it with soil. Do this with as many holes as possible.

If you need large blocks of ice, it's best to buy it from a commercial dealer. Dry ice is also sold in supermarkets and can be ordered online.

Required inventory

You only need three things, for its manufacture at home:

• CO 2 fire extinguisher;
• fabric bag;
• open area or ventilated area.

You need a CO 2 fire extinguisher, not a regular household fire extinguisher. It usually has a black plastic injection funnel on the nozzle. Before using a fire extinguisher for your experiments, you must make sure that it contains carbon dioxide. There must be a special information sign on the body of the fire extinguisher. Using other types of fire extinguishers does not give the desired result.

Protect your hands, eyes and feet. Hard C. O. 2 is so cold that you can get frostbite or “burns” if you come into contact with it. Before you start, take care of the following things:

• thick, gloves;
• protective glasses;
• long sleeves and trousers;
• closed shoes.

the outlet funnel of the fire extinguisher nozzle into the bag. Seal it with tape. Start the fire extinguisher and watch the gas fill the pillowcase. Hold it for a few seconds. The gas will come out of the pillowcase. This is normal and not dangerous if you stay in a ventilated area as recommended. Remove the bag. Carefully remove the outlet funnel from the pillowcase. Hold the cloth tightly against the funnel to wipe off any ice that sticks to it. There should be a small pile of dry ice at the bottom of the bag. These are white, crumbly granules that look like polystyrene.

Remove the tissue and place it in a more convenient dry ice container, such as a thermos. Do not close the container tightly as the pressure of the CO 2 gas will blow the lid off. If you want to use the lid, do not press it down tightly or screw it on.

Not all materials are suitable for storing solid CO 2. To preserve it, do not use fine china, ceramic or glass containers. Cold can cause these materials to shrink and crack. Rigid is best plastic containers(preferably special boxes). Use a thermos without a lid.

If you can't find a CO 2 fire extinguisher, this method can also be done with a compressed CO 2 bottle used by welders. The procedure is almost identical. If you need a lot of ice, it might be worth investing in a setup that basically consists of an outlet with a fabric bag.

Security measures

Dry ice is relatively harmless compared to other low-temperature substances, as it is solid. In addition, it forms a thin protective layer gas on the surface, which prevents direct contact with the skin. However, it is recommended to wear gloves and goggles when handling it.

If it contacts the skin for a few seconds, the sublimation stops and the ice adheres to the skin. To prevent long-term damage to the skin and underlying tissue layers, it must be removed (teared off) immediately, otherwise we are talking about the so-called cold burning, in which the tissue dies. This process is used in the treatment of warts, but the amounts applied are so small that only the topmost layers of the skin die off.

When stored in confined spaces the resulting carbon dioxide displaces air due to its more high density. At high concentrations, it can lead to suffocation. Solid S. O. 2 tends to quickly evaporate and displace oxygen.

Do not close containers in which it is stored. The resulting gas in sublimation must go outside. The container may collapse due to internal pressure when it is closed. Dry ice should not be used to cool drinks, as its ingestion is life-threatening.

Cooking methods

Of course, it is better and easier to use ordinary ice from water to cool food and especially drinks. But you probably noticed that the ice in the restaurant is transparent and clean, unlike the cloudy and white cubes that were made in your freezer? This happens because during freezing, gases dissolved in water begin to be released, forming small bubbles, or when water freezes, forming small crystals. But there are ways to make premium ice at home.

Method 1

You need to take filtered water, and then boil it twice. Boiling removes gases from a liquid. After boiling for the first time, let the water cool down. Then boil again. Keep cooling water covered to prevent dust from entering.

Pour water into an ice tray or mold and cover plastic film. Make sure you let the water cool down a bit and then pour it into the tray. Place the tray in the freezer for several hours. Remove the tray and carefully remove the clear ice cubes.

Method 2

High temperature freezing method. Set the freezer temperature to just below zero -1°C. Fill an ice tray with water and put them in the freezer overnight. Gradual freezing should force out air and impurities, leaving the ice completely clean.

Attention, only TODAY!

Dry ice is often used to freeze food and prepare carbonated drinks. Its technology is simple. To understand how to make dry ice at home, you need to figure out how this substance is obtained in industrial environment, because technological process will be the same.

Only production volumes differ, because much less dry ice is required to cool drinks and other products than to reduce the temperature of any unit.

Dry ice is carbon dioxide that solidifies at -78°C without going through the liquid stage. It melts at room temperature, and its excessive content in the air can cause nausea, dizziness and other unpleasant sensations.

Therefore, it is necessary to follow the rules for the safe manufacture and storage of the substance. In order to avoid frostbite, special gloves should be used, and goggles should be used to protect the eyes.

The substance is non-toxic and does not conduct electricity, therefore it is used to generate smoke in discos and even to repel mosquitoes.

List of required accessories

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (with OU marking) are commonly used as a source of CO2.

In addition, you will need:

• thick cotton pillowcase or linen bag;
• thick gloves or mittens for protection;
• scotch;
• goggles or eye mask;
• container for the finished product. It is best to buy a special container, but you can make it yourself at home from cardboard box lined with foam from the inside.

Instead of a fire extinguisher, it is better to use food-grade solid carbon dioxide, which can be purchased at cold stores.

It is not too expensive, especially in comparison with the price of modern fire extinguishers.

Step-by-step instruction

Dry ice production technology consists of several stages:

1. Put on all protective gear.
2. Lay the fire extinguisher on its side and securely fasten it to the floor surface.
3. Remove the seal and safety pin from it.
4. Put a pillowcase or bag with a capacity of 3-4 liters tightly on the socket, fix it with tape.
5. Gently push the lever. Carbon dioxide will come out of the fire extinguisher. Keep the device open until you get enough of the substance. Depending on the type of fire extinguisher, this period can be from a couple of seconds to several minutes.
6. Release the lever, remove the cloth from it and shake the substance out of it into the prepared container. This must be done immediately, since the composition at room temperature quickly turns into a gas.
7. Seal the cracks on the box with wide tape so that the substance does not evaporate from it. It is impossible to ensure complete tightness, but it is not necessary either. In the process of melting, the volume of the substance increases many times, and in the absence of the possibility of expansion, an explosion can occur.

If you have already made dry ice with your own hands, the whole procedure can take about 30 minutes. The main thing is to observe safety precautions when working with carbon dioxide. If you are not going to use the substance right away, you need to think about where to store it.

In order to completely eliminate CO 2 evaporation, it is necessary to ensure that the storage temperature does not exceed -80°C, which is impossible at home. You can somewhat slow down the process of decomposition of a substance by placing a container with it in a conventional refrigerator.

The disadvantage of this method is the high percentage of evaporation of carbon dioxide, even if all the rules are observed. Therefore, before making dry ice at home in this way, you need to make sure that this event is appropriate.

After all the procedures, it is imperative to fill the fire extinguisher, assemble it and put it in place so that at the right time it can perform its direct function.

Dry ice is a very necessary and irreplaceable thing. It can be used to maintain a constant low temperature, cooling any household items in conditions of high ambient temperatures. It is widely used in industry, as a cooler for tanks and refrigerators, in cooking when creating culinary masterpieces. But it is not always possible to purchase dry ice when it is so needed.

There are several options for how to get or make dry ice with your own hands in an ordinary kitchen.

What is dry ice

In fact, this substance has nothing to do with frozen water, that is, with ordinary ice, except for the ability to maintain low temperatures or cool something. The formula for dry ice is the same as for CO2. In fact, it is a gas that has been converted into a solid state of aggregation bypassing the liquid phase.

We encounter this chemical compound every day. It is found in exhaled air. When you buy soda or a drink in a store, you have seen more than once how bubbles of carbon dioxide rush out when you open a bottle.

A large amount of it is released with vehicles and is contained in the surrounding air. Due to its ability to inhibit combustion processes, it is used in the production of fire extinguishers for household and industrial use. Carbon dioxide is used by plants for the process of photosynthesis. But separating it from environment is a very time consuming and costly process.

Getting dry ice

As absurd as it may sound, dry ice is a gas. On an industrial scale, it is obtained by cooling carbon dioxide at high pressure. At home, these processes cannot be carried out, because. requires specialized equipment and the creation of certain conditions. Nevertheless, some options for how to get dry ice with your own hands still exist.

from a fire extinguisher

Initially, to obtain dry ice, you will need a fire extinguisher, a bag of dense fabric and a wire or

An existing bag must be attached to the base of the fire extinguisher socket in such a way that there are no holes left. To be sure, it is better to seal it with tape or insulating tape. Tightness plays a very important role here. important role. Next, you should carefully remove the fuse from the handle of the fire extinguisher and release several jets of carbon dioxide by pressing the bleed valve. Thus, the carbon dioxide in the pressurized fire extinguisher bottle does not have time to cool down and accumulates in the bag in the form of powder or crystals. In order for it not to evaporate, it must be placed in an airtight container or bag and tightly closed.

In the same way, you can get dry ice with your own hands from a carbon dioxide cylinder, which is used for welding. The cylinder valve should be opened very slowly, because the pressure of the gas in it is very high. You should be extremely careful not to allow carbon dioxide to get on the skin of the hands and face, as this can cause frostbite.

Dry ice from a test tube

The following method may come in handy if you have access to the simplest laboratory equipment. If this is not possible, then at home it can be used without any problems. To do this, you will need a fire extinguisher, goggles, baking soda, vinegar and durable

Do-it-yourself dry ice can be obtained at a small amount using a few simple laboratory experiments.

To do this, you need to get carbon dioxide by mixing soda, which is available in any kitchen, and table vinegar. The structure and formula of dry ice determine its gaseous state. For the convenience of collecting carbon dioxide, this experiment should be carried out in a glass test tube with the end of the tube should be placed in water. Rising bubbles of carbon dioxide will fill another tube, displacing water. To get more carbon dioxide, they should fill the existing plastic bag.

In order to get dry ice, the temperature of which is very low, you need carbon dioxide and the creation of certain conditions. This is not possible in a simple laboratory or at home. The gas from the bag can be used as a base or substrate to increase the amount of dry ice. But it needs to be cooled down. To do this, the gas bag must be fixed on the same source of dry ice, a fire extinguisher or a cylinder, and several jets should be released into the bag. Thus, dry ice will cool the carbon dioxide from the bag, which will contribute to its precipitation in the solid phase.

Use of dry ice

The temperature of dry ice is so low that it will be enough to make homemade ice cream or other desserts that require refrigeration or quick freezing. It can also be used to cool food and drinks at an outdoor picnic, but contact with moisture should be avoided.

Dry ice in the water begins to turn into a gaseous state, which is accompanied by a copious release of heavy thick smoke.

Safety

Before using a fire extinguisher for your experiments, you should make sure that it is carbon dioxide. There must be a special information marking on its body. The use of other types of fire extinguishers will not produce the expected result and may be dangerous.

Do not attempt to obtain dry ice from gas or air gun cylinders. Opening these objects is extremely dangerous and can lead to unpredictable consequences. When working with a fire extinguisher, goggles and gloves must be used to avoid getting cold carbon dioxide on the mucous membranes.

A carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is best purchased from an appropriate shop. Then you can be sure that it is completely serviceable. Dry ice can be obtained from it by periodically refueling it, for example, in a fire department.

Dry ice is the solid state of carbon dioxide (CO 2), just like regular ice is the solid state of water (H 2 O). Dry ice very cold(-78.5°C), so it is widely used for refrigeration and freezing on an industrial scale. With the right ingredients, you can easily and easily make dry ice at home, provided, of course, that you follow all safety rules.

Steps

Dry ice from compressed carbon dioxide CO 2

Take a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher and a pillowcase. All. What you need to make dry ice at home: a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, a fabric pillowcase that you don't mind ruining, and an open space outside where children and pets won't bother you.

Protect hands, eyes and limbs. Dry ice is very cold and can cause frostbite ("burns," in fact) if it comes into contact with the skin. Although it is not necessary to use a special protective suit when handling a fire extinguisher, take necessary measures precautions and protect your body from accidental contact with dry ice. Before starting work, put on:

• Tight and durable work gloves (you may want to wear thin, form-fitting gloves underneath your work gloves for added protection)
• Laboratory safety goggles
• Long sleeves and trousers
• Closed toe shoes
• Lab coat or long sleeve jacket (optional)

1. Wrap the pillowcase tightly around the mouth. Insert the nozzle of the fire extinguisher inside the pillowcase. Gather the pillowcase fabric around the bell and tie it tightly behind the nozzle. Gas must not escape from the slots.

   • If you are afraid that the pillowcase may come off, secure it with tape. The pressure from the fire extinguisher will not be too strong, but additional fastening will not hurt.

2. Start the fire extinguisher. When you're ready, press the lever and let the gas fill the pillowcase. Keep releasing the gas for 2-3 seconds. You may not see ice forming, but soon it will begin to collect on the bottom. Release the lever after a few seconds. The carbon dioxide vapor will seep through the fabric of the pillowcase. But it's not scary and safe. However, it is recommended to carry out this experiment in well-ventilated areas.

   • If you cannot start the fire extinguisher, check the safety pin, it must be removed before operating the fire extinguisher.

3. Remove the pillowcase from the fire extinguisher. Carefully remove the fire extinguisher bell from the pillowcase. Press the fabric firmly against the bell to remove any residue frozen ice. At the bottom of the pillowcase, you will see a pile of loose dry ice that resembles Styrofoam.

   • Try to keep the bag upright and don't make more ice than you need. If you are wearing protective gloves, you can of course touch the ice, but not for more than a few seconds, otherwise you can get frostbite on your fingers even through gloves if you touch the ice for too long.

4. Place ice in a suitable container. Transfer the dry ice from the pillowcase to a more convenient container, such as a bowl, durable plastic bag or thermos. Store dry ice in one place and in as large a chunk as possible so the ice doesn't melt for longer. Do not seal container tightly. If you close the container tightly with a lid, the pressure from the CO 2 generated will simply burst the container or rip off the lid. If you are using a lid, do not screw or press it.

   • Not all containers are suitable for storing dry ice. Here are some nuances:
   • Do not use porcelain, ceramic or glassware. It may break if exposed to cold.
   • Do not use beautiful and fashionable metal containers. Metal can deteriorate and warp on contact with dry ice.
   • Use Sturdy plastic containers (especially for making ice cubes in the freezer) for storing dry ice.
   • Use thermos for storing dry ice (but do not close the thermos hermetically.)

5. Alternatively, use a CO 2 bottle. If you don't have a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher handy, you can use a carbon dioxide canister, which you can buy at hardware stores and online. The process for making dry ice is exactly the same. Just connect the spout to the can, insert it into the pillowcase, release the gas for a few seconds, collect the ice pieces at the bottom of the pillowcase. Precautions should be the same as when working with a fire extinguisher.

   Using homemade dry ice

   1. Mix dry ice with water, and you get a kind of fog. Dry ice is widely used to form artificial fog. To do this, you just need to mix dry ice and water. If you splash some water on dry ice, it will hiss and more quantity carbon dioxide. This is widely used in discos, rock concerts, haunted houses and other places where you need to create a mystical atmosphere.

      • Remember that such an experiment, in which carbon dioxide is released, must be carried out outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms. It's not typical, but still a large number of carbon dioxide in an unventilated room can displace oxygen, making it impossible to breathe.
      • If you are doing this experiment in a container with a small hole, you can make a geyser-like contraption where the mist will come out of the small hole. The energy of this steam can be enough to power a small motor or start a children's turntable on a stick.

   2. Use dry ice to make carbonated drinks. Another way to widely use carbon dioxide is the production of carbonated drinks (for example, soda, beer, champagne, fizzy lemonades, and so on). Combining dry ice with water releases carbon dioxide into the water, where it collects in small bubbles, which are hallmarks carbonated drinks. Of course, carbon dioxide is used for industrial and home production of carbonated drinks, but the use of dry ice for these purposes will be very effective.

      • Do not drink the drink as long as there is dry ice in it. Wait until all the dry ice turns into bubbles. If you swallow dry ice, the harm done internal organs, will be significantly more than from frostbite of the skin.
      • Some people don't like the taste of drinks carbonated with dry ice. Make a little sample drink before making a lot of lemonade.

   3. Use dry ice to keep food frozen. Dry ice is much colder ordinary ice, respectively, food and drinks are cooled more. But there is a danger of chilling them too much, for example, champagne can simply freeze in a bucket of dry ice, so it is better to use it with those foods that are served frozen (for example, ice cream.)

      • Try using dry ice in the cooler, first place chilled food in the cooler, place dry ice on them, close the lid loosely (make sure the lid is not sealed tightly). The cold air descends, so the cooler box becomes the most efficient for its function. If there is room left in the cooler, fill it with old newspapers (too much free space will speed up the evaporation of the ice and its conversion to carbon dioxide).
      • Dry ice will help keep regular ice in the cooler.
      • As a general rule, you may need 4.5 to 9 kilograms of dry ice every 24 hours to keep food frozen (depending on the size of the cooler).

   4. Dry ice is used to store some foods. Surprisingly, dry ice helps preserve foods such as cereals, beans, lentils, pasta. Start by pouring some dry ice into the bottom of the cooler box. Make sure the ice is dry and free of frost, otherwise the food will get wet and spoil. Pour food onto dry ice. Cover (not tightly) the lid, let stand 6 hours. Dry ice must completely evaporate, that is, turn into carbon dioxide, so that not a single piece remains. When the ice has evaporated, close the lid tightly.

   5. Use dry ice to hard materials gave way. As already mentioned, dry ice is so cold that solid materials such as metal or ceramics can change their properties when in contact with it. In some situations, this property naming has certain advantages:

      • Car dent repair: If your car has small "dents" that look like concave metal, dry ice can fix it. Put on heavy gloves and press the block of dry ice into the dent. If possible, apply ice to the inside of the injury. Keep ice around the dent until frost forms a few inches from the edge of the dent. Remove the ice and let the metal heat up. Repeat if necessary.
      • Removing floor tiles: This method is suitable if you need to remove one or two floor tiles. Spread dry ice on a cloth over the entire surface of the tile you need to remove. Wait for the tiles to freeze. If the tile won't bounce on its own, lightly tap it with a hammer or screwdriver to loosen the adhesive around the edges of the tile.

      Warnings

      • Conduct experiments only in a well-ventilated room. Carbon dioxide, turning into a gas, displaces oxygen in the air.
      • If you are a child, do this experiment only under the supervision of an adult, wear thick gloves when in contact with ice.
      • When storing dry ice, do not cover it with a lid. The gas resulting from evaporation must be dispersed in the air, otherwise it may rupture the closed container.
      • Avoid direct skin contact with ice. You can get severe frostbite.