We Sell Dry Ice Products Across Western Canada
Carmad Industrial Ltd. Dry Ice Products
Our dry ice products are perfect for temperature sensitive solutions which include industries like medical laboratories, food & beverage, freight companies and much more. At Carmad Industrial Ltd., we produce dry ice in blocks, rice or nugget form.
Dry ice totes are available for rental when ordering 450lbs or more of dry ice.
Dry Ice Pricing
We sell dry ice products for both retail and wholesale. Retail pricing starts at $4.00/lb, larger quantities go down to $0.85/lb.
If you require other quantities or would like a quote comparable to other dry ice suppliers, we would be happy to speak with you.
Wholesale pricing is also available and discounts may be available for regular deliveries.
Onsite or Retail Location Pickup
Minimum order of 5lbs of dry ice is required for pickup. We are located in Edmonton and Edson, AB. If looking to pick up small quantities of dry ice, we have 2 retail locations operating as Canadian Dry Ice.
Shipping & Delivery Services
If you need any dry ice products delivered in Alberta we will absolutely deliver dry ice to your location. Delivery fees will be quoted at time of purchase.
Same day delivery service – minimum order 250lbs of dry ice.
Next day delivery service – minimum order 150lbs of dry ice.
Feel free to request a quote, or call us to discuss your dry ice needs.
Our main retail dry ice location is located in West Edmonton. Note: this is not a production facility. Please call us for any questions.
Canadian Dry Ice (West Edmonton)
14540 – 115 Avenue
T5M 3B9
Precautions for Handling Dry Ice
Handling
Dry Ice temperature is extremely cold at -109.3°F or -78.5°C. Always handle Dry Ice with care and wear protective cloth or leather gloves whenever touching it. An oven mitt or towel will work. If touched briefly it is harmless, but prolonged contact with the skin will freeze cells and cause injury similar to a burn.
Ventilation
Dry ice converts to CO2 gas, in confined spaces dry ice represents a suffocation hazard. Be sure to open doors/windows before entering confined spaces, leave the area immediately if your breathing quickens or you experience any difficulty breathing. Dry ice is heavier than air and will accumulate in low spaces.
Pickup Time & Transporting
Plan to pickup the dry ice as close to the time as is needed. It sublimates at a certain percentage in different types of packaging. Carry it in a well-insulated container such as an ice chest. If it is transported inside a car or van for more than 15 minutes make sure there is fresh air.
Storage
Dry ice is to be stored in a well-ventilated locations and placed in insulated and ventilated storage areas, chesta, insulated coolers, or a special coolers designed for the storage of dry ice.
Because of the thermal expansion of dry ice (one pound of dry ice produces abut 250 liters of gaseous carbon dioxide), sufficient gaseous carbon dioxide can be released in a sealed container to cause an pressure explosion. Dry ice is NEVER to be stored in any type of tightly sealed devices such as an ultra-low freezer or plastic/glass container.
Dry ice will sublimate about five to ten pounds every 24 hours (blocks last longer) in a typical storage cooler.
Normal air is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and only 0.04% carbon dioxide. Concentrations greater than 0.5% (5000 ppm) can become dangerous. Storage and operation locations must be periodically surveyed to ensure carbon dioxide levels remain below 5000 ppm.
Carmad Industrial Ltd. has experience for proper applications in the food industry to define the optimal cold transport solution for any product, from gourmet ice creams to prepared meals and meat processing.
Dry Ice FAQs
What is Dry Ice?
Dry Ice is frozen carbon dioxide, a normal part of our earth’s atmosphere. It is the gas that we exhale during breathing and the gas that plants use in photosynthesis. It is also the same gas commonly added to water to make soda water. Dry Ice is particularly useful for freezing, and keeping things frozen because of its very cold temperature: -109.3°F or -78.5°C. Dry Ice is widely used because it is simple to freeze and easy to handle using insulated gloves.
How is dry ice produced?
Under normal conditions, carbon dioxide is a colourless and odorless gas. To make carbon dioxide snow (dry ice) the gas is cooled at high pressure which liquefies the gas. Further cooling takes the carbon dioxide to the, “triple point.” The highly pressured liquid is then suddenly expanded by spraying, and turns it into snow. The snow is then pressed into blocks weighing between 50-250 lbs.
What is the “triple point?”
When carbon dioxide is subject to a temperature of 69-degrees Celsius and also to a pressure of 60.4 psi, carbon dioxide can exist as a solid, a liquid and a gas at the same time. The ability to be in three states simultaneously is known as the triple point effect.
How heavy is dry ice?
A block measuring 10” x 10” x 10” is 50lbs. A slab measuring 10” x 10” x 2” is 10lbs. A slab measuring 10” x 10” x 1” is 5lbs.
What temperature is the surface of dry ice?
Dry ice has a surface temperature between -78 and -110 degrees Celsius.
How much of the liquid carbon dioxide turns to snow?
About 30% of the liquid which is sprayed turns to snow. The rest is turned back into gas and is returned to the compression and cooling process.
What should dry ice be put into, to insulate it?
A “kraft” paper bag will reduce the sublimation rate on its own. The ice wrapped in the paper should be put into a container which is insulated as much as possible, but NEVER seal the ice into an air tight container due to the pressure.
At what rate can I expect the dry ice to sublimate?
As a general rule, dry ice will sublimate at a rate of 1% per hour in a typical ice chest. This sublimation continues from the time of purchase – therefore, pick up dry ice as close to the time needed as possible. Bring an ice chest or some other insulated container to hold the dry ice and slow the sublimation rate. Dry ice changes directly from a solid to a gas – sublimation – in normal atmospheric conditions without going through a wet liquid stage.
Does dry ice melt?
No. Dry ice goes through a process called “sublimation” in which a solid substance skips the liquid state and changes directly into a gaseous state.
What will prevent the dry ice from turning into a gas again?
Nothing will prevent the dry ice from “subliming.” Once it is out of the high pressure it must be insulated to reduce the rate of sublimation.
What type of industries/people use dry ice?
Dry ice is widely used within the following industries or applications:
- Laboratories
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Hospitals
- Drug Manufacturers
- Universities & Elementary Schools
- Caterers
- Special Effects Companies
- Refineries
- Transport / Freight Forwarding Companies
- Hunters & Campers
- Individuals with bed bug issues use dry ice in one manner or another.
What are some benefits to using dry ice?
It is an alternative method to heat displacement refrigeration. (i.e. electric refrigerators) It is inexpensive & simple. It consumes no fuel or electricity. It can be cut, wrapped & delivered to predetermined specifications and limits waste.
Uses For Dry Ice
Accelerated Plant Growth
A small quantity of CO2 will increase the growth rate of plants. Allow the dry ice to sublimate in close proximity to the plants for 10-15 minutes daily.
Asphalt Cooling
Using dry ice allows for the delicate asphalt to stay at required temperatures during transport from the manufacturing plant to job site. Even more beneficial, using dry ice allows contractors to speed up the cooling process and core the paving sooner.
Bed Bug Removal
Infestation of bed bugs has become a serious problem because most of the chemicals used to control them are now banned or restricted. Removal of small infestations or testing whether you have them is possible by building a trap using dry ice.
Broken Freezer
Use dry ice to keep freezer contents frozen during breakdowns.
Broken Fridge
Use dry ice to keep refrigerator contents cool during breakdowns.
Camping
Dry ice provides the most effective and inexpensive means to keep perishables chilled or frozen.
De-flashing Molded Plastics & Rubber
Dry ice causes molecules to band closer together and “shrink”.
Containment Tank Repair/Removal
Dry ice will remove oxygen from flammable containment tanks if placed inside, reducing the risk of flammable vapors catching spark and exploding
Chemotherapy
Many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments have found the use of super cooled “cold caps” to be an effective way to reduce or prevent hair loss
Carbonate Liquids
When dry ice is added to liquids, the dry ice will sublime and become a gaseous CO2 vapor. During this process, the liquid will absorb the CO2 gas and become a carbonated liquid, AKA Soda pop, Sparkling water, etc. CO2 is extensively used around the world in the beverage and soda industry
Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice blasting has become the fastest growing application of CO2 in the entire industry. Similar to sand blasting, dry ice blasting uses a jet nozzle and compressed air to shoot small pellets of dry ice (blasting rice) with superior results. The extreme cold causes targeted material to shrink, allowing for easier removal. The used blasting rice will sublimate into gaseous CO2 after use which makes cleanup a breeze.
Fishing & Hunting
Enthusiasts wait entire lifetimes for the one chance to bag the elusive trophy animal or catch the perfect wall decoration. Don’t let it spoil, use dry ice! Keeping your animal or fish chilled with dry ice will ensure minimal spoilage during transportation.
Flash Freezing Sushi & Fish
Dry ice can be used to flash freeze fish, ensuring freshness and prolonging preservation time by up to ten days longer than regular ice. This method also acts as a biocide and is FDA required before sushi can be sold for consumption.
Fog Visual Effects
Dry ice when combined with hot tap water will produce and awe-inspiring display of bubbling water and thick voluminous fog. Use a pound of dry ice for every 4L of hot water for 5-10 minutes of maximum effect. Since dry ice retains a temperature of -78°C, the water will cool rapidly. Replace with hot water to maintain desired effect.
Fresh Meat Processing
Dry ice will keep the temperature cold and reduce spoilage while processing meat. This is used in industrial processing of ground meats and sausages.
Freezing Fresh Fruits
Place dry ice in the bottom of your cooler and the fruit directly on top. Close cooler and let fruits freeze for 20-30 minutes. Remove fruit and place in freezer safe plastic bags as needed.
Green Burials
Dry ice can be used to preserve the human body until the funeral. This method has been proven more environmentally friendly than the use of toxic, embalming chemicals, and MUCH less expensive.
Lures Away Mosquitos
Mosquitos love dry ice! Mosquitos are attracted to both animals and humans is because when exhaling, we produce small amounts of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide). When CO2 is detected by a mosquito, is registers the location of its next meal of blood. As dry ice sublimes to CO2 gas, it is equivalent to over 1,000 people breathing at the same time in a close proximity. Therefore the mosquito will zoom in on the dry ice because of the high concentration of 100% pure CO2 gas that dry ice expels. Place 5-10 pounds pieces of dry ice away from areas where people are gathered. Works amazing!
Kills Clothes Moths
Dry ice, when combined with heavy plastic bags can kill moths, larvae, and eggs through fumigation. Place clothes for fumigation in a plastic bag (at least 3mm thick). Wrap 5 pounds of dry ice in a towel/rag and place inside the bag. Seal the bag but ensure there is enough space for the sublimation to escape rather than building pressure. 20-30 minutes should be adequate time to finish the job.
Inerting Medium
Dry ice will replace oxygen in a container preventing or extinguishing fires. The most common use is for safely removing underground gas storage tanks.
Medical Uses
There are a number of applications in the medical field. Doctors will often use dry ice to freeze and remove warts or other skin imperfections. Temperature sensitive medical supplies, samples, and equipment are also commonly transported with dry ice as a cooling agent.
Plumbing
Dry ice can be used to freeze pipes, essentially stopping the flow of water at point of contact. This method is very useful if you are unable to access the main shutoff valve. Once the pipes are frozen, proceed with repairs.
Preserve Seeds & Grains
Dry ice can be used to protect post-harvested seeds and grains from bacteria, fungi, and insects. Place what you desire to store into a storage container with a small vent on top. Add dry ice to container (amount varies depending on container size). The dry ice will sublimate into gaseous CO2 and displace oxygen and keep contents at low temperatures to kill fungi and bacteria
Remove Car Dents
Dry ice can be used to remove car dents and dings as long as there is no crease on the bottom and the sheet metal is not bent. Allow the dent to sit in the sun to warm up (or use a blow dryer). Take a 10 pound slab of dry ice and place directly over the dent. The rapid cooling of the metal will pop the dent back to normal. There is a very small risk of paint scratching with this method however it is quite rare (use at your own risk)
Remove Skin Imperfections
Dry ice is sometimes used either with or as a substitute to liquid nitrogen to remove small skin imperfections, warts, and moles. This method should not to be used at home.
Science & Experiments
There are a multitude of fun, creative science projects and experiments to be used in schools. Volcanoes, cloud chambers, comets, making baking soda, observing sublimation, and gaseous expansion are some common school science projects.
Welding Motorcycle Tanks
Use a similar method as when purging containment tanks, the main idea is to use the dry ice to sublimate and displace oxygen before welding. Be sure to eliminate all traces of fuel and wash out the tank with warm soapy water.
Special FX & Theatrics
Using a fog machine or buckets of hot water and a fan, many shows are enhanced by adding flowing fog.
Shrink Metal & Fittings
Dry ice works wonders for metal shrinking and fitting.