Dry Ice Blasting Power Generators

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. provides its dry ice blasting service for power generators throughout New England and parts of New York. Power generators require cleaning from time to time as maintenance procedures require. The photograph above shows us cleaning a generator in upstate Vermont.

There are many “accepted” methods for the cleaning of power generators. Some turbines are blasted with walnut shells to loosen up dirt and contaminants. The problem with this process is that walnut shells are left all over the turbine and must be removed. Another way to clean a turbine is to use detergents that are applied by hand. This takes a significant amount of time because hands only move so fast. In addition, some areas of the surface need to be scrubbed in order to remove contaminants.

The newest method to clean power generators is dry ice blast cleaning. Dry ice blasting utilizes dry ice and compressed air to remove dirt and contaminants from turbines, stators and generators. When the dry ice hits the surface it removes the contaminants and subliminates into the atmosphere. Therefore, there is no dry ice left over and the contaminants are blasted into the air. Cleaning time compared to the other two methods is also significantly reduced. Some generators can be cleaned in as little as 8-16 hours depending on size.

We have cleaned many power generators including turbines and stators for major energy companies in the New England region. If you are in need of dry ice blasting services for your power generation equipment, please contact us at 800-739-7949 or email rtaylor@nitrofreeze.com. For more information go to our web page about dry ice blasting for power generation equipment.

Dry Ice Blasting Boats and Small Ships

Dry ice blast cleaning is growing in popularity due to its versatility and environmentally friendliness. At the Cryogenic Institute of New England, we have found that the process is a great way to clean boat hulls. Boat hulls corrode and collect marine growth that must be cleaned frequently. This protects the boat from further damage while keeping the hull visually appealing. Traditional hand-cleaning methods are time consuming, and depending on the cleaning agent used it can be toxic. Dry ice blast cleaning can remove contaminants from boat hulls efficiently and effectively.

Commonly referred to as Co2 blasting, the process propels dry ice particles at the surface to be cleaned through the use of compressed air. Upon contact with the surface, the dry ice particles evaporate harmlessly into the air after removing contaminants. This process is also non-conductive, non-abrasive and environmentally-friendly, so it can be performed in almost any setting. The only debris associated with dry ice blast cleaning is the removed contaminants, which can be vacuumed or swept up during cleanup.

Dry ice blasting has several advantages over other blasting methods such as water and soda blasting. The dry ice sanitizes the desired surface making it more difficult for algae, mussels and slime to reattach. Dry ice blasting can also be used on propellers, engine equipment, water intake valves, condensers and heat exchangers can all be cleaned without removal of the equipment. Water and soda blasting also leave behind additional contaminated particles, while dry ice leaves none.

Dry ice blasting is well suited for anti-fouling. On polyester and fiberglass hulls dry ice blasting will remove blisters, fouling and lifted paint to prepare the boat for refinishing and repainting. Depending on the amount of marine buildup, a 20-foot hull can be cleaned in 2-3 hours. This application allows boat owners to spend less time maintaining their craft, and more time enjoying it on the water. Our dry ice blast cleaning service continues to expand as more and more applications are found that can benefit from the process. For more information about dry ice blast cleaning, please visit our dry ice blasting page.

Press Release: Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. Introduces Uphill Quenching to Service Lineup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Ryan M. Taylor
Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc
(508) 459-7447
Fax: (508) 459-7426
rtaylor@nitrofreeze.com
Http://www.nitrofreeze.com

Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. Introduces Uphill Quenching to Service Lineup

Worcester, MA – May 10, 2010 – The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of its Nitrofreeze® Uphill Quenching Service to maximize stress relief in cast, heat treated and forged aluminum parts. The process enables critical components made from aluminum to achieve a superior level of material stabilization.

The procedure involves the utilization of a controlled cryogenic chamber where the parts are cooled to ultralow temperatures by utilizing liquid nitrogen or liquid helium. Once the components have reached the low temperature, they are subjected to a controlled warming cycle to a higher temperature appropriate for the alloy. The process is repeated up to six times, each following the same cool down and “uphill” quenching cycle. The process typically operates within a range of −450°F on the low side and up to +450°F at the high side.

“Aluminum alloys used in high-precision aerospace and optic components require maximum part stabilization so that they will hold the tolerances needed in their mission critical tasks,” according to Robin Rhodes, President of the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. “The Nitrofreeze® Uphill Quenching Process eliminates the resident residual stresses in the raw cast or forged aluminum block as well those that are created during CNC machining operations,” he added.

Uphill quenching was first employed in the 1950s by Alcoa with the objective of artificially aging the aluminum to produce a more stable microstructure with less residual stress. The adopters of the technique enjoy benefits including reduced part deformation, elimination of machining distortion, and improved mechanical properties. Aerospace and optics firms use uphill quenching to reduce or eliminate “walk and creep” that can occur during the machining operations of critical tolerance parts.

Most uphill quenching treatments are used in aerospace, high precision optics and military applications. “ Our experience with uphill quenching and other thermal cycling enables us to perform precise profiles as specified by MIL/DOD and U.S. governmental agencies,” stated Ryan Taylor, Product Marketing Specialist at the Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. “We are able to cycle a wide range of parts to temperatures approaching absolute zero at controlled ramps and extended dwells,” he added. The company completes the uphill quenching processes with its own specially developed chambers and other vessels.

The Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc., located at 90 Ellsworth St. Worcester, MA, is dedicated to the commercial application of cryogenic technologies to serve the needs of industry, government and scientists. The firm offers a full range of cryogenic services, including conventional cryogenic treatment, heat & freeze thermal cycling, cryogenic deflashing & deburring services, shrink fitting services, and dry ice (CO2) blast cleaning. It also offers engineering services, cryogenic lab work in support of R & D, and custom equipment design for new and unique cryogenic applications. It is a corporate sustaining member of the Cryogenic Society of America. To learn more visit http://www.nitrofreeze.com.