From Liquid CO₂ to Dry Ice
Dry ice is produced by reducing the pressure of liquid CO₂. During expansion, part of the liquid CO₂ forms solid CO₂ snow while the remaining portion becomes low-pressure CO₂ gas.
The CO₂ snow is collected and mechanically compressed into the required dry ice product.
Typical Process
Liquid CO₂ Storage → Liquid CO₂ Supply → Expansion & Snow Formation → Compression → Dry Ice Pelletizing → Product Handling
For customers seeking higher overall CO₂ utilization, the production line can also incorporate:
CO₂ Revert Gas Collection → Buffering → Compression → Reliquefaction → Return to Liquid CO₂ Storage
This creates an integrated dry ice production and CO₂ recycling loop.
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Main System Components
Liquid CO₂ Storage & Supply
Liquid CO₂ is stored under controlled pressure and supplied continuously to the dry ice production equipment.
YTC can integrate the dry ice production line with an existing liquid CO₂ storage system or provide the storage and supply section as part of the complete project.
Storage capacity and supply configuration are selected according to dry ice production rate, operating hours and required liquid CO₂ reserve.
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Dry Ice Pelletizer
The dry ice pelletizer converts liquid CO₂ into high-density dry ice pellets through controlled expansion, snow formation and hydraulic compression.
YTC’s current dry ice pelletizer is designed for automatic production with capacity up to 200 kg/h, depending on the selected configuration and operating conditions.
PLC-based controls coordinate CO₂ injection, hydraulic operation and production monitoring for stable and repeatable operation.
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Process Control System
The control system coordinates the operation of the dry ice production equipment and associated auxiliaries.
Depending on project scope, the system can provide:
• Automatic start and stop sequences
• Production monitoring
• Hydraulic-system control
• CO₂ supply monitoring
• Operating-status indication
• Alarm management
• Production quantity monitoring
• Interface with upstream or downstream equipment
The objective is to provide stable production with reduced manual intervention.
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Optional CO₂ Revert Gas Recovery
A significant portion of liquid CO₂ becomes low-pressure gaseous CO₂ during conventional dry ice production.
Instead of continuously venting this gas, YTC can integrate a CO₂ Revert Gas Recovery System into the dry ice production line.
The recovered CO₂ gas is collected, buffered, compressed and reliquefied before being returned to the liquid CO₂ storage system for reuse.
Integrated Process
Liquid CO₂ → Dry Ice Production → Revert CO₂ Gas → Gas Recovery → Compression → Reliquefaction → Liquid CO₂ Storage → Dry Ice Production
This configuration can substantially improve overall CO₂ utilization and reduce dependence on additional purchased liquid CO₂.
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Two System Configurations
Standard Dry Ice Production System
Designed for customers who require a straightforward dry ice production line.
Typical Scope:
Liquid CO₂ Supply
• Dry Ice Pelletizer
• Hydraulic System
• PLC Control
• Product Handling
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Dry Ice Production System with CO₂ Recovery
Designed for customers where liquid CO₂ cost, production volume and CO₂ utilization justify recovery of the revert gas.
Typical Scope:
Liquid CO₂ Storage
• Dry Ice Production
• Revert Gas Collection
• CO₂ Buffer
• CO₂ Compressor
• Refrigeration & Reliquefaction
• Liquid CO₂ Return
• Integrated Control System
This configuration turns dry ice production from a once-through CO₂ process into a partially closed CO₂ recycling system.
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Why Integrate CO₂ Recovery?
In conventional dry ice pellet and block production, only part of the supplied liquid CO₂ becomes solid dry ice during each production cycle. A substantial portion expands into gaseous CO₂.
Recovering this revert gas can provide several operational advantages:
Higher Overall CO₂ Utilization
Recover CO₂ that would otherwise be vented and return it to the production cycle.
Reduced Liquid CO₂ Consumption
Lower the amount of replacement liquid CO₂ required for a given quantity of dry ice production.
Improved Production Economics
CO₂ recovery becomes increasingly attractive where dry ice production volumes and local liquid CO₂ prices are high.
Reduced Direct CO₂ Venting
Recycle process CO₂ instead of continuously releasing the entire revert stream to atmosphere.
Integrated Plant Operation
Storage, production, gas recovery and reliquefaction can be engineered as one coordinated system.
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ApplicationsCO₂ revert gas.
YTC dry ice production systems can be configured for applications including:
• Commercial dry ice production
• Food cold-chain logistics
• Food processing and preservation
• Industrial cleaning
• Dry ice blasting supply
• Pharmaceutical and biological cold-chain applications
• Industrial gas companies
• CO₂ production and distribution facilities
System configuration should be selected according to the customer’s required dry ice product, production capacity and operating conditions.
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YTC Integrated CO₂ & Dry Ice Solution
YTC’s advantage in dry ice projects extends beyond the dry ice machine itself.
With engineering experience in CO₂ recovery, compression, purification, refrigeration, liquefaction and liquid CO₂ storage, YTC can integrate the upstream and downstream CO₂ systems around the dry ice production equipment.
This allows customers to source a coordinated solution covering:
CO₂ Production / Supply → Liquid CO₂ Storage → Dry Ice Production → Revert Gas Recovery → CO₂ Reliquefaction → CO₂ Reuse
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Build Your Dry Ice Production System
Dry ice production requirements vary according to production capacity, liquid CO₂ supply conditions, product requirements and local operating costs.
Send YTC your:
Required dry ice capacity
Operating hours per day
Liquid CO₂ supply conditions
Required dry ice product
Available utilities
Project location
YTC can evaluate the project basis and recommend an appropriate dry ice production and optional CO₂ recovery configuration.
- Laboratory and research applications
- Commercial dry ice production and distribution
Pellet size and production configuration should be selected according to the intended application.
Integration with YTC CO₂ Recovery Plants
For customers producing liquid CO₂ from fermentation, industrial gas, or other recoverable CO₂ sources, the Dry Ice Pelletizer can become part of a complete CO₂ utilization system.
A fully integrated YTC solution can include:
CO₂ Recovery
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Purification & Drying
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CO₂ Liquefaction
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Liquid CO₂ Storage
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Dry Ice Production
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CO₂ Revert Gas Recovery & Reliquefaction
This creates a closed-loop approach in which recovered CO₂ is purified and liquefied, converted into a commercially valuable dry ice product, and partially recovered again from the dry ice production process.
YTC Dry Ice Production Solution
YTC provides integrated solutions covering CO₂ recovery, purification, liquefaction, storage, dry ice production, and CO₂ revert gas recovery.
The Dry Ice Pelletizer can be supplied as standalone equipment or integrated with a complete YTC CO₂ recovery and utilization project.
For customers operating their own CO₂ recovery plants, YTC can engineer the connection between liquid CO₂ storage, dry ice production, revert gas collection, compression, and reliquefaction as one integrated process.
Each solution is developed according to the customer’s required dry ice capacity, pellet application, liquid CO₂ supply conditions, operating schedule, site layout, and CO₂ recovery requirements.
From recovered CO₂ to finished dry ice pellets, YTC provides an integrated solution designed to help customers produce dry ice reliably while making more efficient use of their liquid CO₂ supply.
