ABSTRACT
Surface decontamination is, without question, one of the most important techno logical processes. Ranging from workpiece degreasing to surface preparation of spacecraft parts, cleaning technology is necessary for an infinite number of di verse applications. De-icing of airplane surfaces, sterilization of healthcare equipment and devices, and decontamination of pharmaceutical and food process ing facilities are a matter of public safety. One of the emerging cleaning tech niques is ice-air blasting. A number of studies indicated that ice particles could be used as an abrasive medium [1-4]. The principal advantage of ice abrasives is that only pure water is used in their production, which is available at low cost. There is no need to deliver and store ice. The only sources needed for fabrication of ice particles are water and electricity. The use of an ice-air jet (IAJ) prevents envi ronmental pollution and practically eliminates substrate contamination. The need
for “green” cleaning techniques is rapidly growing and it is safe to predict that LAJ will find important practical applications.
