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Useful Dry Ice 2
Useful Dry Ice 2
Useful Dry Ice 2
CARBONATE LIQUIDS
When CO2 is added to plain water it will make sparkling mineral water. CO 2 is extensively
used throughout the world in the beverage industry for making soda pop.
FOOD STORAGE
Placing Dry Ice in the bottom of a dry food storage container is a very economical way to
fumigate and store dry goods for an extended amount of time. Make sure the Dry Ice is not
frost covered, as that will add moisture. Put one to two ounces of Dry Ice per five-gallon
storage container in the bottom and then pour in the dry food. As the Dry Ice sublimates it
replaces the oxygen in the container with CO2. Leave the lid on but not tightly sealed until the
Dry Ice completely sublimates. Then snap the lid tight. Without oxygen neither bugs nor
bacteria can grow. This process is good for seeds, grains, legumes, flower, powdered milk,
etc.
GOPHER ERADICATION
Dry Ice is heavier than air so it will find its way to the bottom of gopher dwellings. Place 1 to 2
inch pieces as deep into each hole as can be reached and fill the front of the hole with dirt. If
you miss some holes the process may have to be repeated. Jerry Yamamoto of Hayward,
California reports that he successfully used Dry Ice to eradicate regular Argentine ants from
his front yard. Perhaps this could work on fire ants too.
it home. Do not let the Dry Ice touch the game directly as it may cause superficial damage.
Dry Ice can be added to regular ice to extend its cooling. For best results use an insulated
container.
BRANDING
Dry Ice is used to super cool alcohol for branding horses, cattle, and hunting dogs. The
alcohol must be 90% pure - not rubbing alcohol. Methyl alcohol is most commonly used.
Liquid Nitrogen is too cold to work properly. This is now the second most common way to
brand according to Tony Clark of Bassett, Nebraska.
MEDICAL
Doctors, to freeze skin for wart removal, use Dry Ice or liquid nitrogen. Many medical offices
ship biological specimens in Dry Ice for laboratory testing or further processing. Dry Ice is also
used to keep bone morrow frozen when it is shipped.
TRANSPORTING PLANTS
Dry Ice will keep flowers cool and delay blooming. Maintaining ready to flower plants at 34F
will retard blooming. Do not allow Dry Ice to get too close and freeze plants.
PLANT GROWTH
A small additional amount of Carbon Dioxide will increase the rate of plant growth.
CHEMICAL RETARDANT
Its low temperature slows or stops some chemical reactions. It is used to store and ship
special adhesives It is also a neutralizing agent for alkalis.
PRESSURIZING AGENT
When Dry Ice changes from a solid to a gas it absorbs heat and expands to over 800 times its
original volume.
INERTING MEDIUM
Dry Ice will replace oxygen in a container preventing or putting out fires. It is used to safely
remove underground gas storage tanks.
SHRINK FITTINGS
Dry Ice will shrink metal to slide on sleeves, bushings or bearings. Add Dry Ice to a 90% pure
alcohol bath to create a cold liquid near -109.3F. That can be used like liquid nitrogen.
MOSQUITOES
CO2 may attract mosquitoes away from animals and people. Place pieces of Dry Ice away
from areas where people are congregating. The theory is that mosquitoes find animals and
people by their CO2 exhaled during breathing. Melissa Palm reports that dry ice does attract
mosquitoes. "I use dry ice in some of my mosquito traps as bait and find that it works rather
well." The Clarke Family of Companies of Roselle IL., sells a mosquito trap designed for using
Dry Ice.
WELLS
Dry Ice combined with detergent, or alone, will improve porosity in irrigation wells. Bill Hayoz
of Reliant Dry Ice in New Mexico, explains that dry ice is used regularly by the ranchers to
improve water flow. He used about 60 pounds of dry ice in his windmill well, capped it off, and
waited several days before the water came back with a greater flow. The city of Mosquero
used 800 pounds of dry ice for their city wells. Most well men will use dry ice before drilling
deeper.
OIL INDUSTRY
Dex Welch reports "Dry Ice has been used in the oil fields for years to clean tank bottoms.
When paraffin, sludge, etc build up, a chemical is added along with Dry Ice to roll (stir up) the
tank bottom. This breaks out the liquids & separates water from oil in paraffin mixtures so that
water can be removed & the oil saved." Liquid CO2 is also used to crack and increase oil flow
in wells.
BAKING INDUSTRY
Dry Ice is used in mixing ingredients and retarding yeast growth until the proper time.