OIL & GAS DRY ICE BLASTING

Providing oilfield cleanup service options with dry ice blasting, General Abrasives Co. Inc adapts to a wide range of applications, allowing you to minimize downtime and run your equipment at peak performance levels.

BENEFITS OF DRY ICE BLASTING FOR OILFIELD EQUIPMENT

Without the use of abrasives to remove an array of contaminants, dry ice blasting allows you to clean many surfaces without profiling or altering the appearance and texture of the product. Because the system does not introduce water or chemicals, dry ice blasting can also be used indoors. It is also non-conductive, meaning electrical parts and other equipment do not have to be powered down nor do you have to wait for the operating temperature to lower. One of the biggest advantages to dry ice blasting is the elimination of toxic chemicals within the cleaning process, reducing both the damage to the environment and to the overall health of your employees, customers, and contractors. 

  • Non-abrasive, non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-conductive 

  • Environmentally Friendly, with no run-off or other contaminants
  • Allows for items to be cleaned in place without the need for disassembly

  • Variable PSI blast stream to adapt to a variety of substrates

  • Immediate repainting or recoating after cleaning

  • No remaining blast media left behind

  • No moisture left behind 

  • No secondary waste generated

  • Extends equipment life

Marine vessels must undergo routine maintenance and service to remain water-ready. Each year the vessel’s hull receives a protective layer of antifouling which slows marine growth that can impede the boat’s performance. This product adds extra weight and can potentially conceal any damages that need to be addressed. Routine stripping the hull allows for inspection and repair of any necessary deficits that could compromise the vessel. Dry ice blasting makes the stripping process less time-consuming and prepares the hull for recoating of new antifouling product. 

oil rig
oil refinery

OILFIELD APPLICATIONS

Used in Upstream, Midstream and Downstream applications, dry ice blasting offers immeasurable benefits throughout the production process. Whether cleaning or preparing surfaces for testing, maintenance, repair or repainting, we provide blasting services that remove paint, rust and other contaminants with minimal secondary waste. Reducing unplanned maintenance and breakdowns by providing regular equipment cleaning, our maintenance programs are designed to keep your rig operating properly by removing heavy oil, carbon and paraffin buildup. 

  • Oil, bitumen and corroding agent removal

  • Failed coating, corrosion, soluble salts and chloride removal 

  • Wellhead equipment

  • Pipes and Pipelines

  • Valves and gauges

  • Non-destructive testing

HOW IT WORKS

Removing buildup from oil and gas industry equipment, dry ice blasting uses a pressurized stream of dry ice pellets instead of using small, abrasive particles for blasting. The dry ice is initially solid and begins to sublimate (instantaneously turn to gas) upon impact. With the ability to provide a variety of cleaning pressures, ranging from 60 to 250 PSI, our equipment allows us to service a wide range of applications with a single mechanical system. A state of the art cleaning process that utilizes recycled CO2 in the form of dry ice particles that are safe for use around delicate electronic components that would be damaged by traditional solvents or water. 

Surface coatings like paint oil, adhesives, and accumulated debris shrink from the change in temperatures and are forcibly blown off the surfaces they are attached to, leaving a clean, dry substrate. The pressurized stream of dry ice pellets is able to clean in nooks and crannies of all sizes, without the equipment having to be taken out of service or disassembled. 

A unique challenge in an otherwise heavy-duty, industrial-strength setting like oil and gas field operations is the need to clean delicate cooling components on frac pumps. The cooling fins can be damaged by pressure as low as a household water hose. To address this need, General Abrasives invested in precision blasting equipment that can not only drop blast stream pressure but can also tailor dry ice particle size. This gives us the ability to clean radiator cooling fins and tubing without deforming components. 

Useful to clean:

pipeline
  • Heat Exchangers
  • Frac pump radiators

  • Motors

  • Pipelines

  • Holding Tanks 

  • Pumps 

  • Vessels

  • Heat Exchangers

  • Frac pump radiators 

  • Motors

  • Pumps

  • Vessels

  • Pipelines

  • Holding Tanks 

WORK WITH GENERAL ABRASIVES

General Abrasives also provides maintenance contracts to service your refinery and equipment year round, preventing downtime or necessitating that equipment is taken out of service. Utilizing environmentally responsible cleaning processes, our services can be conducted while the systems are in operation, allowing your processes to remain at optimal efficiency, extending equipment life and maximizing profits. 

Offering 30 years of experience and knowledge, we provide dry ice blasting for your rig, keeping equipment clean and helping to divert unexpected shutdowns. We provide an environmentally responsible solution that keeps employees safe by reducing harmful chemical use and tedious manual cleaning and keeps the work area free of secondary waste like dust and runoff. Protect your investment in your equipment and manufacturing processes with our proven cleaning services. Contact our team today to learn more.Â