Liquid-2-Pellet (L2P) vs. Traditional Dry Ice Blasting

Choosing the right dry ice blasting solution can have a lasting impact on your operational efficiency, maintenance costs, and overall sustainability.

Here, we break down the differences between conventional dry ice blasting machines that rely on pre-made pellets and our Liquid-to-Pellet (L2P) technology, which produces dry ice on-demand directly from liquid CO₂.

L2P Technology (CoolBlast Machines):

  • On-Demand Dry Ice: Produce fresh dry ice pellets on-site as needed, eliminating storage and sublimation losses.

  • Consistent Quality: Always use freshly made, top-quality pellets for optimal cleaning performance.

  • Reduced Waste: No idle pellets sublimating before you use them.

  • Minimal Downtime: Quickly adjust dry ice production to match your cleaning schedule—no waiting for deliveries.

Typical running costs

34kg CO₂ Bottle x 0.75 (to exclude 25% gas fraction) = 25.5kg liquid CO₂

25.5kg liquid CO₂ @ £63.59 = £2.49 per kg

SJ-10 average CO₂ consumption per hour = 12kg

Cost per hour = £29.88

Traditional Dry Ice Blasting Machines (Pre-Made Pellets):

  • Pellet Deliveries Required: Rely on scheduled deliveries of pre-manufactured dry ice pellets.

  • Storage Challenges: Pellets must be stored in insulated containers; sublimation leads to waste and recurring costs.

  • Inflexible Supply: If you run out mid-task, you must wait for the next delivery or pay premium for urgent orders.

  • Inconsistent Pellet Quality: Depending on supplier and delivery conditions, pellet quality can vary.

Typical running costs

50kg dry ice pellets x 0.92 (to allow for 8% sublimation) = 46kg of usable dry ice

46kg dry ice pellets (Dry Ice Supply) @ £120.83 = £2.62kg

Average dry ice consumption per hour of SJ-10 comparable machines = 20kg

Cost per hour = £52.40

Prices correct December 2024. CO₂ and dry ice prices exclude VAT and delivery costs

SJ-10 specification and CO2 usage

  • Compressed air consumption - 0.3 to 2 m3/min (11 to 71 CFM)

  • Compressed air operating pressure - 5 to 16 bar (72 to 232 psi)

  • Liquid CO2 consumption - 0.1 to 0.3 kg/min

SJ-25 specifications and CO2 usage

  • Compressed air consumption - 1 to 6 m3/min (35 to 212 CFM)

  • Compressed air operating pressure - 5 to 16 bar (72 to 232 psi)

  • Liquid CO2 consumption - 0.4 to 1.5 kg/min

Taking an average CO2 consumption for each machine they would use the following amount of CO2 per hour. 

  • SJ-10 @ 0.2 kg/min = 12 kgs an hour

  • SJ-25 @ 0.7 kg /min = 42 kgs an hour

Image of Matthew Oliver

Matthew Oliver - Managing Director

“Switching from traditional dry ice pellet systems to L2P technology is about more than just cost savings—it's about operational resilience, environmental responsibility, and greater control over your cleaning process.”