You are here

Functional Principle

The high difference in temperature between the CO2 pellets (-78 °C) and the contamination leads to a cold shock. This partially destroys the connection between the support material (prism) and contamination. The surface of the dirt and rubber layer cracks and opens. The kinetic collision energy of the dry ice particles intensifies the effect and the CO2 molecules penetrate into these voids, during which they increase their volume sevenhundredfold (due to transition from the solid state to the gaseous phase). During this procedure, the contamination is taken to small pieces, which are then transported by the airflow away from the contaminated surface.

 

The combination of thermal shock and kinetic energy results in an efficient and quick cleaning of the prisms during the cleaning of optical taxiing and landing aids.

 

What is „dry ice“?

 

Dry ice is an extremely hard CO2 granulate in the size and form of a rice grain. It is produced by injecting liquid CO2 with 17 - 20 bar pressure into a cylinder, where it expands at normal atmospheric pressure turning into fine CO2 snow. The snow is then compressed and extruded at pressures of up to 180 bar through a matrix, thus creating dry ice pellets. The temperature of the dry ice pellets is -78 °C (-106 °F).

 

The dry ice pellets have a special feature: With energy absorption (for example heat or impact) the ice converts from solid to gas, bypassing the liquid phase.

 

View this video to experience the Cryonom cleaning procedure „live“!