CRTS:Cardice
This page contains more detailed information about Cardice Delivery Procedures as handled by the Chemistry Research Technicians in the Chemistry Department.
Cardice Deliveries
Cardice is delivered to the Department 3 times per week - on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays - by BOC. The CRT distribute the Cardice to the individual labs, based on the pre-ordered distribution list (below).
To organise Cardice deliveries or amend your standing order, please contact Pete Sulsh (p.sulsh@imperial.ac.uk). You will need to give at least 1 weeks' notice.
The Department DOES NOT store any Cardice centrally. We cannot top up any orders or provide Cardice at short notice. All Cardice delivered to the South Kensington Campus is delivered to the BOC compound near Physics, from there it is distributed to the Departments. To cover for estimated losses (sublimation) en route they normally deliver a few extra bags. They may be able to meet small short notice orders, but you should contact them directly.
Distribution List
The current distribution list, as of 26/3/12.
Cardice SOP
Cardice, Dry Ice or Solidified Carbon dioxide is a common lab cryogenic used daily in Chemical Research. As with all cryogenics - care must be taken in its use. Hazards include not just the cold, but also rapid sublimation can lead to displacement of breathable air and the risk of asphyxiation.
The Departmental Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is available from {source}.
Storage
Cardice storage containers are essentially large cool boxes and function in much the same way as a conventional Dewar for LN2. An interior space is provided for storage surrounded by an insulating container which minimises thermal influx and slows sublimation/loss of the contents.
You can keep Cardice for much longer if you follow good practice; this includes:
- ensure the interior is free of water/ice (wipe up when empty)
- use a 'lockable' lid with good rubber seals
- keep the lid secured when not filling/dispensing Cardice
Cardice Production
The Cardice used by the Chemistry Department is produced by BOC at a facility in the Midlands. The process used involves liquefying natural air and separating it by means of fractional distillation. The end result is Cardice pellets which we receive in bagged units of 10kg.
The lorry which delivers Cardice to Imperial College in South Kensington also delivers to various medical facilities and hospitals in the London area. The prioritisation of deliveries means that hospitals are always rated above us and will receive their Cardice first. This means that our Cardice is usually delivered mid-morning, rarely before 0930 and normally closer to 1000. On Mondays this tends to be later (1030-1200) and other delays are not uncommon.
If you need Cardice for activities starting at 0900 or earlier, we recommend ordering the Cardice for the day before and storing it overnight. As yet there is no practical solution for having Cardice at 0900 on a Monday.
From factory to your lab, the entire delivery process takes at least two days. During this time the Cardice is constantly going off. All transport and storage post-production relies on thermal insulation and the inherent temperature of the mass of Cardice, packed together. Although the bags are filled to deliver units of 10kg (they are overfilled to allow for losses in transport) some bags received may be underweight. The CRT will normally spot for this at the time of receipt and secure extra bags as necessary, so you may end up with extras; you will not be charged for these.