Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide and reaches very low temperatures. It lends itself to various uses, although the most obvious is to keep objects cold. One of the advantages of dry ice is that it leaves no traces of liquid as it sublimes, that is, it returns to the gaseous state when it reaches a temperature of -78.5 ° C. This is an element that can prove to be really dangerous, since it is capable of generating severe frostbite burns; therefore, it is extremely important to know how to handle and store it correctly.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Storing Dry Ice
Step 1. Buy ice when you need to use it
Although the sublimation process can be slowed down, it cannot be stopped. For this reason it is advisable to purchase solid carbon dioxide shortly before having to use it. Calculate that you will have a loss of about 2.5-5 kg of dry ice per day, even if you store it in the best way.
Step 2. Wear insulated gloves to protect your hands and arms
Dry ice can cause freeze burns because it reaches very low temperatures. Insulated gloves protect your skin from the cold when you have to handle solid carbon dioxide. In any case, keep the contact between the gloves and the ice to a minimum. In addition, you should also wear a long-sleeved shirt, to protect your arms when working with this element.
Step 3. Store the dry ice in a well insulated container
A polystyrene portable refrigerator is perfect for storing this substance for a long time. You can of course also use a regular cooler, like the one you use to keep drinks cool on a picnic.
Step 4. Add some crumpled paper
Fill the empty spaces between the ice and the walls of the container with paper, to slow down the sublimation process; in this way you reduce the free space inside the container.
Step 5. Keep the container closed as much as possible
The more often you remove the lid, the more dry ice will be exposed to hot air. Heat accelerates sublimation, which means dry ice will drop faster.
Step 6. Place the bowl in a cold environment
If the weather is cold, put the cooler outside the house. If the days are warm, return the container inside. In other words, you have to do everything to keep the dry ice in a cold environment, in order to slow down the rate of sublimation.
Step 7. Watch out for frostbite
If you have suffered slight damage and the skin is just a little red, then the lesion will heal on its own. However, if blisters have developed and the skin begins to peel, you should see a doctor.
Part 2 of 2: Avoiding the Dangers
Step 1. Work in a well-ventilated area
Dry ice releases carbon dioxide, which is deadly to humans if it accumulates in an enclosed space. Check that there is always good air circulation in the room where you store the dry ice. Otherwise, animals and humans run the risk of asphyxiation.
Remember that a closed car is not a ventilated environment, especially if the fan is off. Never leave dry ice in a parked and closed vehicle. When transporting it, open the windows or check that the air conditioner is set to cold air and always draws fresh air from the outside. As an additional precaution, do not store the dry ice container near the driver
Step 2. Do not use an airtight container
Dry ice transforms from solid to gas without going liquid, which means it releases carbon dioxide. When this happens, the gas needs space to escape from the container. If you store dry ice in an airtight container, carbon dioxide gets trapped causing an increase in internal pressure and, in extreme cases, an explosion.
Step 3. Do not put dry ice in the freezer
The freezer is a hermetically sealed appliance and may explode. Also, if you try to store this item in a regular refrigerator or freezer, you could destroy its equipment, as the thermostat is not built to handle such low temperatures.
Step 4. Wear safety goggles and a helmet with a mask when breaking the dry ice block
If you plan to tear it apart, eye and face protection are essential, otherwise the ice splinters could hit you and cause serious injury.
Step 5. Avoid low areas towards the floor or ground
Carbon dioxide tends to stagnate in the lower part of the space it has available, since it is heavier than the air we breathe. For this reason it tends to accumulate in the lowest points. Do not intentionally put your head in these areas.
Step 6. Be very careful when deciding to place dry ice on certain surfaces
This element can damage them due to the extremely low temperature. For example, if you put a block of dry ice on a tile or kitchen counter, you could break them.
Step 7. Dispose of it properly
The best way to get rid of unused dry ice is to wait for it to sublime until it runs out. Make sure the space you stored it in remains well ventilated until all the ice is gone.
