Abstract
Dry ice is one of the world’s most in-demand commodities for cold chain
distribution of temperature sensitive products in insulated shippers. A
rule of thumb for packaging dry ice has been that it sublimates about
2.3 to 4.5 kg every 24 hours, without any consideration for specific dry
ice type, size or geometry [(CISA, 2020)](#ref-0004). This study
explored sublimation rates of dry ice composition (binding agent and
density), age, and geometry (size and shape). Dry ice block
manufacturing often involves dosing propylene glycol-water “binder”
solution to liquid carbon dioxide. Tests performed in this study
revealed that the binding agent did not influence the dry ice
sublimation rate. Dry ice density was found to impact sublimation rate.
Fresh and aged blocks of similar dimensions and weight were found to
have similar performance outcomes. Weight loss curves for pellets and
various sized dry ice blocks showed a dependence on surface area and
volume. Chunked blocks and pellets with and without binding agent
sublimated at similar rates of 2.84 % h -1 and 2.53 % h -1 (w/w),
respectively, whereas block varieties with significantly lower surface
area to volume ratios had lower sublimation rates of 0.98-1.60 % h -1.