Dry ice pellets are available in different pellet sizes. The most common size is 3 mm dry ice pellets. This standard size is generally readily available from manufacturers.

When buying a dry ice blasting machine, you should therefore pay attention to which pellet size the machine requires and whether this size can be easily sourced.

The COOLMASTER® uses standard 3 mm dry ice pellets.

If the dry ice blasting machine – such as the COOLMASTER® CM100 – features an integrated grinding system, the pellets can be crushed directly inside the machine to the required particle size. This allows the blasting media to be flexibly adapted to different cleaning applications.

The dry ice consumption of a blasting machine is measured in kilograms per hour. This range indicates how much dry ice the machine requires per hour.

Depending on the settings, the COOLMASTER® CM100 uses only 4–35 kg/h (8.8–77.2 lbs/h) of dry ice pellets.

Simply explained: Sensitive surfaces in medical technology, for example, are cleaned using lower blasting pressure and a smaller amount of dry ice. Therefore, consumption is lower than when cleaning heavily soiled engines or removing release agents from injection moulding tools, applications that require higher pressure and a greater amount of dry ice.

A dry ice blasting machine is powered by compressed air and therefore requires an air compressor.

When purchasing a machine, pay attention to the required air consumption, usually specified in m³/min or litres per minute, and compare the specifications of different machines.

Depending on the settings, the COOLMASTER® CM100 requires 0.2–1.1 m³/min (200–1,100 l/min ≙ 7.1–38.8 CFM) of compressed air.

The COOLMASTER® CM100 can be connected to standard compressed air systems, often eliminating the need for additional investment in a larger air compressor.

Make sure the working pressure can be adjusted to suit different applications.

Tough, stubborn contamination generally requires higher pressure, while sensitive surfaces, such as those found in electronics or medical technology, should be cleaned particularly gently.

The COOLMASTER® CM100 operates at pressures as low as 0.5 bar and can be continuously adjusted up to 10 bar.

Dry ice blasting naturally generates noise due to the expansion of compressed air, which is why hearing protection should always be worn. The quieter the machine operates, the more comfortable it is to use.

The noise level of the COOLMASTER® CM100 ranges from approximately 50 to 100 dB(A), depending on the air pressure, grinding level, and nozzle used.

If you plan to use the machine at different locations, for example in workshops or directly at the vehicle, a compact design and low weight are important advantages.

Weighing just 36 kg (79.4 lbs), the COOLMASTER® CM100 is a particularly lightweight dry ice blasting machine. It can be transported by one person, easily moved and rolled, and even fits comfortably into most vehicle trunks.

Different cleaning applications require different nozzles. Different nozzle shapes are used for tight spaces, hard-to-reach areas, or large surfaces.

The COOLMASTER® CM100 comes standard with one flat nozzle and two round nozzles. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of nozzles, including specialized options such as angled nozzles, XL flat fan nozzles, and nozzle extensions.

The nozzle material is also an important consideration. Plastic nozzles are commonly used with dry ice blasting machines. We recommend metal nozzles, as they are particularly durable, wear-resistant, and designed for professional use.

All nozzles for the COOLMASTER® CM100 are made of high-quality metal.

The cost of a dry ice blasting machine depends largely on the intended application and the required performance. Basic entry-level machines start at around €3,000, while highly specialized, fully automated industrial systems can cost up to €60,000 or more.

For professional and industrial applications, high-quality machines are generally in the mid-range price segment.

Our COOLMASTER® CM100 dry ice blasting machine is also positioned in this price range and offers excellent value for money. We would be happy to provide you with an individual quotation tailored to your specific application upon request.

The COOLMASTER® CM100 is a dry ice blasting machine with an integrated grinding system. This allows standard dry ice pellets to be continuously ground inside the machine to particle sizes ranging from 0.2 to 3 mm.

This gives the CM100 three key advantages:

• Operating costs in mind: The compressed air consumption of the COOLMASTER® CM100 can be flexibly adjusted to the respective cleaning task and ranges from 0.2 to 1.1 m³/min.
• Optimized working conditions: The noise level of the COOLMASTER® CM100 ranges from approximately 50 to 100 dB(A), depending on air pressure, grind setting and nozzle.
• Maximum flexibility: One machine covers applications ranging from gentle cleaning in medical technology to intensive contaminant removal in mechanical engineering.

Dry ice cleaning uses solid CO₂ pellets that are blasted at high speed onto the contaminated surface.

The cleaning effect is based on three physical principles:

• Kinetic Energy:
  The impact of the pellets loosens the contamination on the surface.
• Thermal Shock:
  Due to the extremely low temperature of -78.5 °C (−109.3 °F), the contamination layer cools rapidly, contracts, and becomes brittle. Micro-cracks form within the contamination layer. This weakens the adhesion between the surface and the contamination.
• Sublimation:
  Upon impact, the dry ice pellets instantly change from a solid to a gaseous state. This causes their volume to increase by approximately 700 times. This micro-explosion effectively removes the contamination from the surface while being gentle on the underlying material – without the use of chemicals or water.

No. This is one of the major advantages of dry ice cleaning compared to, for example, sandblasting, glass bead blasting, or water blasting.

The dry ice blasting media sublimates completely during the process, leaving no secondary waste behind. Only the loosened contamination needs to be removed afterward, for example by sweeping or vacuuming. This saves time, reduces cleanup efforts, and lowers disposal costs.

Dry ice cleaning offers a wide range of applications. Even stubborn contamination can be removed gently and without leaving any residue.

Typical types of contamination:
Grease, oils, lubricants, resins, adhesives, waxes, combustion residues, bitumen, food residues, release agents, and paint.

Typical applications:
Plastics manufacturing, medical technology, automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, electrical engineering, the food industry, and printing.

Thanks to its adjustable grinding system, the COOLMASTER® CM100 dry ice blasting machine is suitable for both sensitive electronic components and demanding industrial applications.

Depending on the settings, the COOLMASTER® CM100 uses an economical 0.2–1.1 m³/min (200–1,100 l/min ≙ 7.1–38.8 CFM) of compressed air.

Simply explained: Since the operating pressure can be flexibly adjusted from 0.5 to 10 bar to suit the specific cleaning application, the actual compressed air consumption varies accordingly.

For operating the COOLMASTER® CM100 dry ice blasting machine, we generally recommend a screw compressor with a refrigerated air dryer and a rated power of at least 5.5 kW, ideally 7.5 kW or more. Suitable compressors, both mobile and stationary, can be found here:

• Mobile COOLCOMP Compressor with Petrol Engine
• Stationary Renner Screw Compressors RSK-PRO and RSDK-PRO

For optimal dry ice cleaning results, the quality of the compressed air is crucial. It should be clean, dry, and oil-free.

Why oil-free?
If the compressed air contains oil residues from the compressor, they can be transferred directly onto the surface during the blasting process. This can be particularly problematic in sensitive applications such as medical technology, electronics, or vehicle interiors.

Why dry?
Normal ambient air contains moisture. This moisture can cool down and freeze inside the system. As a result, ice crystals can form, potentially causing blockages or malfunctions in the machine.

Recommendation:
For reliable, trouble-free operation, we recommend using a compressor equipped with a refrigerated air dryer and an oil separator.

Yes, a refrigerated air dryer is highly recommended for continuous operation of the CM100.

Why? When blasting continuously for extended periods, the compressor heats up. This can cause moisture to accumulate in the compressed air and enter the dry ice blasting machine. Because the machine operates at very low temperatures due to the dry ice pellets, this moisture can freeze immediately as a result of the extreme temperature difference.

This can cause the pellets to stick together and potentially clog the machine.

To prevent this, a refrigerated air dryer is essential for continuous operation: It cools the compressed air, removes moisture, and ensures that dry compressed air reaches the machine.

Exception – short-term use: If you only use the COOLMASTER® CM100 occasionally or for short periods, the air quality provided by many screw compressors with a condensate or water separator is often sufficient.

In principle, a piston air compressor can be used, provided it is equipped with a refrigerated air dryer or has been appropriately retrofitted. However, continuous operation is not recommended.

For professional applications, powerful industrial compressors are recommended to ensure a constant supply of compressed air.

A compressed air tank is not strictly required for the COOLMASTER® CM100, but it is highly recommended.

The compressed air tank serves as a buffer for the compressed air generated by the compressor. Since a dry ice blasting machine requires a consistent air supply during operation, the tank can compensate for short-term demand peaks and ensure a steady airflow.

This means the compressor needs to switch between loaded and unloaded operation less frequently. This reduces wear on the system and can help lower energy consumption.

For the COOLMASTER® CM100, a compressed air tank with a capacity of 90 litres has proven effective in practice. This size is more than sufficient for most dry ice blasting applications. We also offer suitable compressed air tanks in our product range.

The COOLMASTER® CM100 has a maximum power consumption (rated apparent power) of just 300 W.

Simply explained: When the CM100 dry ice blasting machine is operating at full load, it requires a maximum of 300 watts of power from the electrical outlet.

Its power consumption is therefore relatively low and places only a minimal load on a standard power supply.

A standard household power outlet is sufficient to operate the COOLMASTER® CM100 dry ice blasting machine:

• Power supply: 230 V~, 50 Hz (standard AC power)

The machine can be operated flexibly at almost any workplace without requiring a three-phase power connection.

For international applications, the COOLMASTER® CM100 can also be adapted to a US power connection (110 V~, 60 Hz).

A 5-meter power cable is included with the machine.

For even more flexibility, you can easily order a longer 10-meter cable as an accessory.

Depending on the settings, the COOLMASTER® CM100 uses a low 4–35 kg/h of dry ice pellets.

Simply explained: Sensitive surfaces in medical technology, for example, are blasted using lower pressure and a smaller amount of dry ice. As a result, consumption is lower than, for example, when cleaning heavily contaminated engines or removing release agents from injection molds, which require higher pressure and a larger amount of dry ice.

Dry ice is the solid form of the gas carbon dioxide (CO₂). It contains no water, is completely dry and has a constant temperature of -78.5 °C.

When exposed to ambient air, dry ice changes directly from a solid to a gaseous state. This process is called sublimation.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a natural chemical compound made up of carbon and oxygen. It is a colorless, non-flammable and slightly acidic gas that naturally occurs in the atmosphere.

In everyday language, it is often incorrectly referred to as “carbonic acid.” However, actual carbonic acid forms only through the chemical reaction of CO₂ with water.

No, since the process uses no water or chemicals and the dry ice completely sublimates, it leaves neither chemical cleaning residues nor additional blasting media waste. Only the removed contamination needs to be disposed of.

Dry ice blasting is increasingly becoming an alternative to chemical cleaning processes in industry.

The cleaning process itself does not generate additional CO₂. The CO₂ used to produce the dry ice pellets can come from natural sources or is recovered as a by-product of industrial processes, for example from crude oil processing or fertilizer production, and is then put to further use, such as for producing dry ice.

No additional CO₂ is generated during the cleaning process itself. The carbon dioxide used to produce the pellets is released again through sublimation. In detail: The solid dry ice returns to its original gaseous state.

Dry ice pellets can easily be ordered from common industrial gas suppliers.

Note for COOLMASTER® users: Our CM100 dry ice blasting machine requires standard dry ice pellets with a diameter of 3 mm.

Thanks to the integrated grinding system in the COOLMASTER®, these pellets are automatically ground inside the machine to the desired size for your application (0.2 to 3 mm).

Prices vary depending on the supplier, region and quantity ordered. We will be happy to provide you with the contact details of suppliers in your area upon request.

Liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) is stored under pressure in tanks. For production, it is fed into a pelletizer, such as our COOLPELLY, and expanded to atmospheric pressure.

Due to the sudden pressure drop, the CO₂ expands extremely quickly, draws heat from its surroundings and cools down rapidly.

This produces fine dry ice snow. The snow is then pressed through the die of the pelletizer. Depending on the diameter of the die holes, this produces the typical pellet sizes, such as 3 mm.

Dry ice loses between 2 and 20% of its mass per day through sublimation, depending on storage conditions. The shelf life depends on the ambient temperature, the quality of the insulated box and how often it is opened.

Our extra-thick insulated COOLMASTER® special foam boxes allow dry ice to be stored for up to 8 days.

Practical tip: Freshly produced pellets have the highest density and therefore provide the most effective cleaning performance.

Dry ice should only be stored in well-insulated thermal boxes or special Styrofoam boxes. These reduce the natural material loss caused by sublimation and allow the resulting CO₂ gas to escape safely. Dry ice sublimates when exposed to air, which means it changes directly from a solid to a gaseous state.

Warning: Never store dry ice in an airtight container. The resulting gas pressure could, in the worst case, cause the container to burst.

No disposal in the traditional sense is necessary, as dry ice completely sublimates without leaving any residue.

It is best to simply leave any remaining dry ice in the box outdoors or in well-ventilated areas until it has completely sublimated.

Dry ice is not classified as a hazardous substance, but it requires careful handling. To avoid injuries, here is an overview of important safety rules:

• Avoid skin contact: Due to the risk of cold burns or frostbite, always wear protective gloves.
• Ensure adequate ventilation: CO₂ displaces oxygen. Never store dry ice in low-lying, poorly ventilated areas, such as basements, or in confined vehicles.
• Do not ingest: Never swallow dry ice or add it directly to food.

For detailed information, please refer to our Safety Data Sheet. We will be happy to provide it upon request at any time. When purchasing a COOLMASTER® machine, you will of course receive the Safety Data Sheet together with your training materials. In addition, our machine training includes instructions on the safe handling of dry ice.