This User’s Guide is printed for use with the following dry ice cleaning system:
Model: PHX-150
Part Number: 30295-001
Serial Number: 30292
Manufacturing Date: 04/17
U.S. Patent No. 6,346,035
It is recommended that the above information be kept in a safe place. Have it readily
available when utilizing the services of the manufacturer with regards to technical
support, service, parts, etc.
The written material herein contains proprietary information intended for the sole use of
the original owner. It may not be duplicated or disclosed to other parties.
Phoenix Unlimited LLC (the Company) warrants that the Equipment it manufactures and
delivers hereunder will be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of
twelvemonths or 2000 hours of operation from the date of shipment, whichever occurs first.
Upon written request, Phoenix Unlimited shall, at its option, correct any nonconformity by
suitable repair to such Equipment, or furnish a replacement part F.O.B. point of shipment,
provided the Purchaser has stored, installed, maintained and operated such Equipment in
accordance with good industry practices and has complied with specific recommendations
of the Company. The Company shall not be liable for any repairs, replacements, or
adjustments to the Equipment or any costs of labor performed by the Purchaser or others
without the Company's prior written approval. The effects of corrosion, erosion and normal
wear and tear, are specifically excluded from warranty.
Correction by the Company of nonconformities whether patent or latent, in the manner and
for the period of time provided above, shall constitute fulfillment of all liabilities of the
Company for such nonconformities, whether based on contract, warranty, negligence,
indemnity,or strict liability with respect to or arising out of such Equipment.
The Purchaser shall not operate Equipment which is considered to be defective without first
notifying the Company in writing of its intention to do so. Any such use of Equipment will
be at the Purchaser's sole risk and liability and will void warranty coverage.
Page 4
Accessories or equipment furnished by the Company, but manufactured by others, shall
carry whatever warranty the manufacturers have conveyed to the Company and which can
be passedon to the Purchaser.
The Companymakes no otherwarrantyor representation of any kindwhatsoever,
expressed or implied,except that of title,and all implied warrantiesof merchantability
and fitness for a particular purposeare herebydisclaimed.
Congratulations on choosing the new PHX-150 dry ice cleaning system for your
industrial cleaning needs. Its’ unique design and variable logic control make it the perfect
choice for a wide range of applications, and in any type of environment. Using rice-sized
dry ice pellets, this versatile blasting machine not only handles your tough cleaning jobs;
it cuts your overhead costs in the process. Smart design, powerful, and portability too…
an industrial piece of equipment that will last for many years to come!
You are now ready to learn how to use your new PHX-150.
Before you attempt to operate the equipment, we recommend that you take the time to
fully familiarize yourself with the contents of this User’s Guide. The information
contained in this guide can save invaluable time by helping you gain a clear
understanding of the installation, safety, operation, and maintenance procedures.
Note: Pay particular attention to the sections on “Safety Precautions and Warnings”,
outlined on the following two pages.
Once you are comfortable with the information provided, you will be ready to say
goodbye to old-fashioned methods of cleaning and begin using your new dry ice blaster.
With proper equipment care, you will soon see that the PHX-150 is one tool you cannot
be without.
If you have questions concerning the installation, operation, or information contained in
this User’s Guide, please contact ‘Phoenix Unlimited LLC’ at: (951) 278-2229.
Customer support and technical assistance is always available.
Dry ice cleaning equipment should not be operated without proper training and the
consent of your direct supervisor or management. The information contained in the
User’s Guide will provide all the tools necessary for proper operation, safety,
maintenance, and troubleshooting of the equipment. Read and understand the contents of
this guide before using or servicing your machine.
Equipment Usage
Your new cleaning system was designed for use in an industrial environment. Proper safety precautions
should be practiced, observed, and monitored at all times. Be especially careful when blasting around
materials that can shatter. Dry ice blasting adapts to many types of applications, but the high velocity
pellets can cause damage to fragile items or substrates of low integrity. Remember NEVER to direct the
blast stream at yourself or others.
Asphyxiation Hazard
Sublimation of dry ice creates CO2gas. This gas is 40% heavier than air, and thus
displaces oxygen in low-lying areas and enclosed spaces. When blasting, always have
adequate ventilation in and around your workspace. Contaminated compressed air (or
nitrogen) used as a propellant may greatly increase respiratory risk. A “High CO2”
sensor/monitor with indicators is a worthwhile investment and can help prevent
accidental asphyxiation.
Noise
Blasting equipment generates a high velocity air flow from the nozzle. This air flow creates friction as it
passes through normal static air, resulting in high decibel noise levels. Though these levels can be
controlled somewhat by altering pressures and flow rates, ear protection is required in all blasting
situations. Additional noise factors include the object being cleaned, distance from the targeted material,
media quantity being used (ice rate), and acoustic surroundings. If you are unsure about blasting in an area
around you or fellow co-workers, consult with your safety director for advice and/or safety parameters
before beginning work.
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Emergency Stop Mechanisms
Your unit is equipped with an Arm/Disarm switch located in the center of the control panel. Under normal
use, this switch acts as a convenient way to quickly interrupt power to your PHX-150. However, the true
designated E-STOP is the full-flow valve (bright yellow with a red handle) located on the air system
manifold under the control panel. This valve must be closed before attempting maintenance work or
repairs. A 5/16” hole is provided in the handle to accommodate your company lockout procedures, if
applicable. Raise the locking tab to re-open the valve.
Protective Gear
Before beginning work, make sure you have the proper protective gear for the job. This
includes the basics: Ear plugs or muffs (or both), eye protection, gloves, long sleeves,
long pants, and safety shoes. Dependant upon specialized cleaning jobs, you may also
need other protective items such as: self-contained breathing apparatus, respirator,
grounding straps, skin protectors, jumpsuit, special clothing, or other equipment as
deemed necessary by your company’s safety regulations.
The training process for using your new PHX-150 is relatively easy, but there will still be a “learning
curve” where technique and experience is concerned. The operator should understand that high velocity air
exits the gun barrel. Upon triggering the gun, the operator will experience a small reactive thrust, which
increases or decreases depending on pressure settings and air flow. Operator fatigue may also be an issue,
relating to blasting angles, pressure settings, dwell times, work area, temperatures, physical conditioning,
and time on duty. Do not exceed allowable limits as set by company policy and safety personnel.
High Velocity Particles
High velocity particles exiting the gun may cause serious injury. Never aim the gun at
yourself or others. The ice is sometimes difficult to see in the blast stream. However,
never use your hand, foot, or any other body part to check pellet flow. Do not blast
delicate or fragile items or equipment parts (i.e. glass or plastic gauge faces). Damage
may occur.
Moving Parts
Though the moving parts inside your PHX-150 are minimal, they are critical components and serious injury
may occur if safety parameters are not adhered to. Your machine incorporates an auger that turns, feeding
dry ice pellets into the delivery system. A safety sensor is activated to immediately stop the auger from
turning anytime the pellet screen is removed. Do not attempt to override this sensor. The auger drive motor
and chain are shielded by a protective guard and should never be operated without the guard in place. Do
not attempt to operate the airlock assembly while detached from unit. Always follow shut-down procedures
before attempting any periodic maintenance or repairs.
Burn Hazard
Dry ice is extremely cold, -109°F (-78°C). Do not allow skin to directly contact dry ice or
the outside of the PHX-150 hopper while it is loaded with dry ice. Doing so may cause
severe deep tissue burns. Always wear heavy-duty insulated gloves and long sleeved
clothing for protection when handling dry ice or cold equipment during use.
Static Discharge
The gun of the PHX-150 is grounded through the blast hose to the frame, then through
the special conductive front wheels; therefore any significant amount of static discharge
is uncommon. Still, the possibility exists that minor static discharges can occur pending
weather conditions, the travel of high velocity ice particles, etc. If static discharge is
experienced, wear the grounding wrist strap supplied with your unit. Also, you may wish
to add an additional wire from the machine to a good earth ground, AND ground the item
that you are blasting.
Caution: Static discharge may ignite flammables. Be aware of your surroundings!
Lower Limit Blast Pressure
The PHX-150 utilizes an additional regulator that maintains the blast pressure at 45 psi, even though it is
turned all the way down. When conducting function tests while the unit is energized, take the necessary
precautions to insure that the blast gun is secured and pointed in a safe direction.
Logic Control Stored Air Hazard
The control circuitry of this machine may trap air in and between associated components. Vent unit before
any maintenance or service is performed to prevent accidental release of trapped air.
Lock Out/Tag Out Precaution
Do not perform any type of service to this equipment until all lock out/tag out procedures have been
followed according to your company’s safety regulation guidelines. As mentioned previously (page 6),
a lock out hole (5/16”) is provided in the E-Stop valve handle if required.
This User’s Guide is the best tool available during the initialization of your new PHX150 Dry Ice Cleaning System. It contains all the information necessary for the proper
installation, safety, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting right at your fingertips.
Familiarize yourself with its’ contents before operating this equipment.
CONNECTING THE AIR SUPPLY
Since the PHX-150 is an “all pneumatic” design, it is critical that only clean, dry air be
supplied to the unit. Air containing excess amounts of moisture, oil, rust, or other
contaminants may clog filters and damage the logic control and internal components. A
good desiccant or refrigerant dryer should be installed between your compressor and the
PHX-150. The dew point should not exceed +40°F/+4.4°C. Good air quality will save
you time for repairs and increase the life of the unit.
1. Install a 1” JIC/NPT male fitting into the supply inlet of the PHX-150. Be careful
with other types of common connectors as they often have gaskets or other restrictive
material, which prevent full air flow. This can drastically reduce your unit
performance level. (pic 1)
2. Install the whip check over the end of the 1” air supply hose. (pic 2)
3. Connect air supply hose to the JIC fitting and extend the whip check as far down the
hose as possible. (pic 3)
4. Wearing hearing protection, blow down the air source at the drop to remove any
accumulated moisture. This helps to insure equipment performance. (pic 4)
5. Connect the air supply hose to the air source. (pic 5)
Caution! Maximum air pressure supplied to the PHX-150 should never exceed 125 psi!
1. Use 1¼” and 1½” wrenches to connect the gun to the end of the blast hose with the
shorter length trigger lines. Do not over-tighten. (pic 1)
2. Connect the respective trigger lines (different sizes) to the gun, pushing firmly into the
quick-connect fittings. (pic 2)
3. Install the nozzle by a) twisting threaded retainer to completely ‘open’ position;
b) place nozzle into end of blast gun; c) tighten retainer to secure the nozzle. Improper
seating of the nozzle in the gun may result in air leakage. (pics 3, 4, 5)
4. Using the 1½” wrench, connect the remaining end of the blast hose to the front of the
PHX-150. (pic 6)
5. Connect the two trigger lines to the unit, pushing firmly until seated. Failure to attach
trigger lines will result in the non-functioning of the unit. (pic 7)
6. If necessary, ground the item you are blasting.
1. Before you begin loading dry ice, it is important that you have the protective gear
previously mentioned in the “Safety Precautions and Warnings” section (page 6).
This includes basic items such as earplugs or muffs (or both), eye protection, face
shield, heavy-duty gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and safety shoes. (pic 1)
2. Lift hinged metal lid to expose hopper. BE AWARE OF AND KEEP CLEAR OF
PINCH POINTS (pic 2)
3. Use a sturdy scoop or similar device to load dry ice pellets into the hopper. (pic 3)
Be careful not to inhale concentrated CO2gas during the loading process, as it will
temporarily rob you of oxygen. If overexposed, get fresh air immediately. Signs
of overexposure include dizziness, cold sweats, headaches, nausea, and heavy
breathing.
4. Close the lid on the hopper. This will prevent airborne contaminants from
inadvertently falling through the pellet screen to the ice and ultimately ending up
on the surface you are cleaning or damaging internal airlock parts. (pic 4)
1. Slowly open the main air supply valve (source). (pic1)
2. With the gun pointed in a safe direction, slowly open the E-Stop valve on the
PHX-150. (pic 2)
Pic 2Pic 1
Setting the Panel Controls
1. Pull the ‘Ice Rate’ knob outwards to unlock it. (pic 1)
2. Turn the control clockwise until the gauge reaches the desired pressure. If unsure, start
at about 25 psi, then adjust the rate up or down as necessary for your particular blasting
application. (pic 2) Note: Trigger on gun must be pulled in order for gauge to read!
4. Next set the blast pressure. Pull the ‘blast pressure’ knob outwards to unlock it. (pic 4)
5. Turn the knob clockwise until desired pressure is reached. The PHX-150 has a blast
pressure range from 45 psi to 125 psi. Satisfactory results are generally achieved in the
80-100 psi range for most applications. If you are unsure or concerned about damage to
the item being blasted, start at a lower blast pressure and increase it gradually until the
optimum performance level is achieved. (pic 5)
6. Push the knob in to lock the blast rate. (pic 6)
Note: The PHX-150 utilizes an additional regulator that maintains the blast pressure at
45 psi, even if the control panel knob is turned all the way down. This prevents “freezeups” in the airlock assembly, which will occur if ice continually feeds without
sufficient pressure to propel it to the gun.
7. Turn the Arm/Disarm switch clockwise to arm the PHX-150. The indicator will turn
green, and the momentary switch will return to the center position. (pic 7)
8. Point the gun at the target or in a safe direction. Push upwards on the safety catch to
release and pull the trigger to initialize blasting. (pic 8)