Liquid-2-Pellet (L2P) vs. Pellet Based 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 Liquid-to-Pellet (L2P) technology, which produces dry ice on-demand directly from liquid CO₂.
Benefits:
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.
L2P Technology:
How It Works: Converts liquid CO₂ into dry ice pellets on-demand, eliminating the need for pre-manufactured pellets.
Typical Features: Uniform pellet size; great for gentle cleaning and non-abrasive tasks.
Downsides:
Higher Initial Investment: L2P machines tend to have a higher purchase price due to integrated on-demand production.
Infrastructure Requirements: You need a stable supply of liquid CO₂, which can be challenging in remote or less-supported regions.
More Uniform Pellet Size: You can’t adjust pellet size as flexibly, limiting aggressiveness for thick coatings.
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
Pre-Made Pellets:
How It Works: Uses pre-made dry ice pellets purchased from a supplier or produced by a separate pelletiser.
Typical Features: Allows you to adjust pellet size, often offering more aggression for thicker grime or coatings.
Downsides:
Ongoing Pellet Logistics & Storage: Requires purchasing and storing pre-made pellets, risking sublimation losses or delayed deliveries.
Less Consistent Pellet Quality: If pellets degrade or partially sublimate in storage, cleaning performance may suffer.
Potentially More Abrasive: Larger or harder pellets can cause micro-scratches on delicate surfaces if not carefully managed.
Benefits:
Adjustable Pellet Size: Some machines let you select different pellet dimensions, varying impact force for different contamination levels.
Lower Initial Equipment Cost: The machines themselves can be simpler, so upfront spending is usually less than L2P setups.
Widespread Familiarity: Many operators are comfortable using standard pellets sourced from suppliers.
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
Champ Vario average consumption per hour = 20kg
Cost per hour = £52.40
Prices correct December 2024. CO₂ and dry ice prices exclude VAT and delivery costs
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