25 Dry Ice Facts To Learn Before Your Next Chemistry Test

Dry ice is undoubtedly one of the most amazing substances on Earth owing to its peculiar properties.

It is a solid form of carbon dioxide created when CO2 gas is frozen. Dry ice has many interesting properties and uses, such as its ability to sublimate directly from a solid state to a gas and its use as a construction material in loosening floor tiles.

Let's first understand what precisely dry ice is. Well, dry ice is nothing but solid carbon dioxide. The history of dry ice's discovery dates back to 1835 when the French chemist and inventor, Charles Thilorier, is first believed to have come across this substance and then published an account of it. Interestingly, Charles Thilorier discovered dry ice accidentally when he opened the lid of a giant cylinder with liquid carbon dioxide and found solid dry ice inside. The carbon dioxide began to evaporate.

The years that followed saw the scientists study this substance and understand the properties of dry ice. In 1924, Thomas B. Slate became the first person to apply for a US patent to sell it, giving birth to a new commercially profitable industry. The following year, DryIce Co. began selling this solid carbon dioxide for refrigeration purposes.

Dry ice is commercially manufactured all over the world. To make dry ice, one needs to inject liquid carbon dioxide into a tank and freeze it at -109.3 F (-78.5 C). We can then transform the resultant dry ice into blocks or pellets depending upon the need.

Facts About Dry Ice

Perhaps dry ice is nothing but frozen carbon dioxide, which turns directly from solid to a gas, but it is one of the most exciting substances humans have ever encountered. However, at the same time, it is a dangerous substance that can lead to cold burns or frostbite when in direct contact with the surface of someone's skin. Dry ice is widely used today and is a pretty standard object, but let's look at some facts about dry ice that you might not have come across before.

Dry ice is called 'dry' because it directly converts into vapor from carbon dioxide and does not enter the liquid phase, which is how it is different from regular ice.

Dry ice's density and gravity are heavier than water due to which if you ever try and drop dry ice into a pool, it will instantly sink.

Interestingly, the density of dry ice increases as the temperature decreases and displays a vice-versa relationship.

When dry ice sublimates, we see white fog, often used to provide a spooky feeling in shows, but in reality, only part of that white fog is carbon dioxide.

A significant part of that white fog is water fog formed when CO2 condenses the water present in the air.

When dry ice is kept at room temperature, it melts faster than when it is kept inside a cooler.

The sublimation rate of dry ice inside a cooler is around 1-2% per hour.

Interestingly, several dry ice studies have shown that dry ice pellets melt faster when kept at room temperature than dry ice blocks.

Uses Of Dry Ice

In the modern world, dry ice has multiple uses, and it is used to freeze substances and for cleaning purposes. Let us delve deeper into some of the current-day uses of dry ice.

Undertaking non-cyclic refrigeration to preserve food is arguably the most common use of dry ice in the current day.

Dry ice is often used instead of liquid nitrogen in the medical industry, especially for skin imperfection surgeries.

Doctors in many parts of the world also use dry ice to preserve biological samples as they are then kept fresh for a more extended period of time.

Dry ice is also used as a substitute for specialized freezers during times of power outage.

In places such as restaurant kitchens and those where plenty of food is handled, dry ice is extensively used for removing mold and mildew.

Many supermarket chains use dry ice to keep those food items fresh, which is kept in open containers or storage.

Dry ice is extensively used as a cleaning product that conveniently works on various surfaces, and the process is known as dry ice blasting.

Did you know that dry ice is also used in the transportation industry for keeping perishable items fresh and ready to use?

Dangers Of Dry Ice

Whether it is blocks or dry ice pellets, all are equally hazardous when treated without proper precautions. Many agencies label dry ice as a dangerous good owing to the dangers involved in handling it without care.

If bare skin is exposed to dry ice for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to skin damage and frostbite.

Hypercapnia is also a danger when handling dry ice as melting dry ice, which turns into a gas, can elevate carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Improper handling of dry ice can also lead to skin burns and asphyxiation. It is always advisable to use dry ice in the open air so that it doesn't lead to irregular CO2 build-up in the blood.

Dry ice is much colder than regular ice, and thus, one must wear insulated gloves before handling it as it can lead to instant cell death of the surface of your skin that comes in contact with it.

It must not be consumed or swallowed as it is not edible.

Dry Ice's Composition

Dry ice is widely used all over the world in various industries, but how exactly is it made. The substance is well known for acting as freezers, dry ice blasting purposes, and more. Let's find out the composition of dry ice and how it is a state of carbon dioxide.

In simple terms, dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is frozen by compressing the CO2 gas, which requires high pressure.

Ingredient-wise, dry ice is only made up of carbon dioxide and is present in its solid-state.

Dry ice is either an opaque solid white or an odorless gas when it melts.

As all dry ice is made up of carbon dioxide, the amount of time to melt depends upon its atmospheric conditions. Inside a cooling chest, dry ice does not melt for 18-24 hours, but out in the open, it lasts only for three to five hours.