Industrial Dry Ice Blasting Services For Western Canada
Minimize downtime, eliminate secondary waste, and extend asset life with high-performance Dry Ice Blasting. Serving Oil & Gas, Power Generation, and Manufacturing sectors across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
OUR
CLIENTS
The Science of Co2Blast Dry Ice Blasting
Our process utilizes three distinct physical factors to dislodge contaminants effectively:
1. Kinetic Energy: Compressed air accelerates solid CO2 pellets to supersonic speeds, creating a high-velocity impact on the contaminant layer.
2. Thermal Shock: The extreme cold (-78.5°C) of the dry ice causes the contaminant to embrittle and shrink, breaking the adhesive bond with the substrate.
3. Rapid Sublimation: Upon impact, the pellets phase-change from solid to gas, expanding ~700 times in volume. This expansion lifts the debris from the surface instantly without abrasion.
At CO2Blast, we use recycled carbon dioxide to create dry ice pellets (solid carbon dioxide). These pellets are propelled at high pressure onto surfaces using specialized CO2 blast cleaning equipment. When the dry ice hits the surface, it sublimates, turning from solid to gas, creating a powerful blast that removes contaminants.
Kinetic Energy
Compressed air is used to propel tiny dry ice pellets at high speeds. The impact of these pellets transfer kinetic energy to the dirt, grime or other contaminants on a surface, causing them to loosen and break apart.
Micro-Thermal Shock
The rapid change in temperature that happens during dry ice blasting causes the unwanted matter to become brittle and dislodge from the substrate.
Sublimation
The dry ice turns into CO2 gas upon impact, expanding up to 700X, further breaking apart and lifting the contaminants.
Kinetic Energy
Compressed air is used to propel tiny dry ice pellets at high speeds. The impact of these pellets transfer kinetic energy to the dirt, grime or other contaminants on a surface, causing them to loosen and break apart.
Micro-Thermal Shock
The rapid change in temperature that happens during dry ice blasting causes the unwanted matter to become brittle and dislodge from the substrate.
Sublimation
The dry ice turns into CO2 gas upon impact, expanding up to 700%, further breaking apart and lifting the contaminants.
Operational Advantages
Optimized for Heavy Industry
Maximized Uptime
Clean in-place with no cool-down required. Eliminate drying time and return assets to production immediately.
Zero Secondary Waste
Pellets sublimate on impact. No grit or water cleanup required—significantly reducing disposal costs.
Asset Integrity
Non-abrasive media (Mohs hardness ~2) cleans without profiling surfaces or damaging sensitive machined parts.
Non-Conductive
Safe for electrical applications. Clean switchgear, stators, and transformers without risk of shorting or moisture damage.
Chemical-Free Compliance
Achieve strict regulatory compliance without caustic solvents. Ideal for food-grade (HACCP) and environmentally sensitive sites.
Precision Cleaning
Variable pressure allows for pinpoint accuracy, cleaning complex geometries and tight tolerances where manual scraping fails.
Choose CO2Blast Cleaning
Since 2005, we’ve been setting the standard for on-site cleanliness across various commercial and industrial sectors. We’re proud to call Central and Northern Alberta our home, extending our dry ice blasting cleaning services throughout British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
Quality Service & Trusted Expertise:
With 20 years of experience, our highly trained team of qualified technicians utilizes pioneering CO2 blast cleaning technology and advanced custom equipment, sourced from trusted manufacturers and suppliers.
Dedication to Safety & Sustainability:
We continuously strive to conserve resources, reduce waste, and mitigate environmental impacts, all while adhering to stringent safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
Since 2005, we’ve been setting the standard for on-site cleanliness across various commercial and industrial sectors. We’re proud to call Central and Northern Alberta our home, extending our dry ice blasting cleaning services throughout British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
CO2Blast Specialized Industrial Solutions
High-Performance Use Cases
Power Generation:Turbine rotors, stators, isophase bus ducts, and HRSGs.
Oil & Gas: Bitumen removal, fin fans, heat exchangers, and pipeline valves.
Petrochemical: Storage tanks, reactor vessels, and processing units.
Electrical Infrastructure: Switchgear, transformers, and insulators (de-energized cleaning).
Manufacturing: Conveyor systems, weld lines, molds, and robotics.
Food Production: Mixers, ovens, and packaging lines (HACCP compliant).
Restoration & Decontamination: NORM abatement, mold remediation, and fire/soot restoration.
Facility Maintenance: Overhead cleaning, ventilation systems, and structure de-greasing.
Targeted Contaminants
Heavy Hydrocarbons: Bitumen, crude oil, asphalt, and tar.
Combustion Residue: Carbon buildup, soot, char, and slag.
Industrial Coatings: Resins, epoxies, glues, and marine varnish.
Hazardous Materials: NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material), lead-based paints, and asbestos.
Corrosion Agents: Surface rust, salts, chlorides, and oxidation.
Biological Matter: Biofilms, mold spores, and algae (sterilization).
Lubricants: Heavy greases, anti-seize compounds, and hydraulic oils.
Environmental: Road grime, lichen, and moss from concrete/structures.
Our Dry Ice Blasting & Laser Cleaning Services
We deliver turnkey industrial cleaning solutions designed to maintain the integrity of your critical assets. Whether for scheduled maintenance turnarounds or emergency outage support, our teams mobilize 24/7 across Western Canada.
Since 2005, we have been the preferred partner for heavy industry in Alberta and BC. We specialize in complex technical challenges—from high-voltage electrical cleaning and NORM decontamination to large-scale disaster recovery.
Restores breakdown voltage and prevents flashovers. We clean stators, rotors, and switchgear using non-conductive media, often without full disassembly.
We remediate contaminated valves, pumps, and instrumentation often slated for disposal. Return high-value assets to service and significantly reduce capital replacement costs.
Rapid cleaning of Heat Exchangers, HRSGs, and Fin Fans. Restore heat transfer efficiency during scheduled shutdowns without generating secondary waste.
Precision ablation for rust removal, weld preparation, and NDT surface cleaning. Our laser systems vaporize contaminants instantly without contacting the substrate, ensuring zero profiling.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
In the rapidly evolving landscape of industrial and commercial cleaning, innovative solutions like dry ice blasting have emerged.
Dry ice blasting is the ideal cleaning method for tackling a variety of use-cases. It involves the precision application of tiny dry ice pellets on an intended cleaning area. Despite its efficiency and safety advantages, it’s still relatively unfamiliar within the commercial and industrial cleaning landscape.
As a result, our team of experts have crafted a list of frequently asked questions from our clients to address common misconceptions and provide clarity about dry ice blasting.
Do you have a specific question you need answered?
If you have any additional questions regarding our process or simply want further details about the science of dry ice blasting, we encourage you to reach out to our team directly and we would be more than happy to help in any way we are able to.
Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide (CO2), the same gas we exhale when we breathe and that plants use for photosynthesis. It’s made by compressing and cooling CO2, and its extremely cold temperature makes it useful for food preservation, special effects, and industrial cleaning.
Yes, the dry ice used in CO2 blast cleaning comes from capturing and recycling carbon dioxide from industrial processes. This CO2 is liquefied, turned into dry ice pellets, and then used in blasting equipment to clean surfaces effectively and eco-friendly. This process not only provides a powerful cleaning method but also helps reduce CO2 emissions and supports environmental sustainability.
Costs vary depending on the size and complexity of the job, but it can be more cost-effective over time due to reduced downtime and secondary waste cleanup.
It’s very effective and often superior to methods like sandblasting or chemical cleaning due to its non-abrasive nature and lack of residue.
No, it’s non-abrasive and won’t damage surfaces like sandblasting can.
Absolutely, dry ice blasting is a safe method for cleaning electrical components and machinery. This non-conductive process ensures the protection of sensitive equipment without causing any damage.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE BASE
Reliability & Maintenance Insights
Access our library of case studies, white papers, and technical articles designed to help maintenance planners and plant managers optimize asset performance. Stay informed on the latest standards in non-destructive testing (NDT) surface prep and industrial cleaning.
Non-Abrasive Cleaning Methods for Turbine Components
Non-Abrasive Cleaning Methods for Turbine Components: Preserving Tolerances and Coatings A technical assessment of cleaning methods that maintain surface integrity on precision turbomachinery Executive Summary Modern gas turbine components rely
Fouling and Performance Degradation in Gas Turbines: Maintenance Timing and Methods
Purpose: remove bonded, water-resistant fouling without damaging compressor components. Key characteristic: No secondary media or moisture introduced Advantages Non-abrasive to base metal and coatings Dry process—no corrosion or water ingestion
NORM in Oil and Gas Equipment: Sources, Risks, and Regulatory Framework
Understanding naturally occurring radioactive materials in production systems and the path to compliant management Executive Summary Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is an unavoidable byproduct of oil and gas production
ONLY A CALL AWAY
Get in touch
Got questions or ready to see how CO2 blast cleaning can benefit your business or project? Our friendly team is here to help! Whether you need a quote, want to explore customized solutions, or just need some expert advice, we’re just a click or call away. Reach out to us through our contact form, give us a ring, or drop us an email.
We value your inquiries and are committed to providing you with the information and support you need. Get in touch today, and let’s chat about how CO2Blast can meet your needs effectively.
Based in Sherwood Park, our services are available across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
Our services are frequently used in:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Burnaby
- Kelowna
- Surrey
- Vancouver
- Regina
- Saskatoon
- Winnipeg
Fax
- 1 866 439 3565