Storage and Transportation

Containers

Specially designed containers are required for dry ice storage
and transport. Containers and corresponding transport
pallets are available for rental from BOC Industrial.

Storage of dry ice

Many factors can affect the rate at which dry ice sublimes from the solid state into gaseous carbon dioxide. These include ambient temperature and humidity, the quality of the storage container, as well as the number of times the container is opened and closed. Better insulation means slower sublimation rates, resulting in prolonged product quality.

Always store dry ice in a properly designed container
Keep the container lid closed when not in use
Always secure the container lid open before reaching in to unload the product. Avoid leaning into the container for longer than necessary
Do not store dry ice in any gas-tight container. Within large containers, gas-rich atmospheres will build up
Do not expose dry ice to high ambient temperatures unnecessarily, as this increases the sublimation rate and thereby the risk of carbon dioxide atmospheres
Do not store dry ice in cellars or unventilated rooms
Ensure adequate low-level ventilation wherever dry ice is stored
Use monitoring and warning devices for dangerous atmospheres

Transport of dry ice

Avoid transporting dry ice in the cab of a truck or the passenger compartment of a car. If this is not possible, the load should be well insulated and adequate ventilation must be maintained
Preferably, transport dry ice in vehicles where the driver’s cab is isolated from the load compartment
Always secure the load compartment doors in the open position before entering. For large walk-in load compartments, the doors should be capable of being opened from the inside
Always ensure that there is adequate ventilation during transportation and before entering the load compartment to unload product
Always carry a ‘Carbon Dioxide (Solid) Safety Data Sheet’ in the cab or driver’s compartment of any vehicle carrying dry ice
Always unload product as soon as possible at the end of the journey and move to a suitable storage location