CST-2 Cold-Shot Portable CO2 Pipe Freeze Kit - FAQ

What type of pipe can I freeze with the Cold-Shot Pipe Freeze Kit?

This unit freezes all types of liquids in steel, copper, cast iron, aluminum, and plastic pipes. Please see the manual for the pipe freeze chart and adjust your times accordingly.

Can the Cold-Shot Freeze Kit freeze moving water?

No, All CO2 pipe freeze systems require that the water not be moving.

What is the best temperature in the line to freeze?

The charts are based on 68 degrees F. The warmer the line the longer it takes to freeze and the more CO2 that is needed. At some point the water will be too warm or hot to freeze. You can cool down the line faster with ice bags or dry ice to get the temperature down so it can freeze.

What is the time frame for freezing pipe?

The freezing times and C02 requirements in the table below are general guidelines based on a water temperature 68° F (20°C). These Figures will vary for other temperatures. Longer freezing times are required for plastic pipe.

Can I get into tight spots with this unit?

Yes, it is the most portable unit on the market with smaller freeze clamps than a jacketed style. It is used by plumbers for residential use, motels/hotels and anywhere a 1/8" to 2.00" single or double freeze on a water line is needed.

Do I need anything else to make this freeze?

Yes, it requires a 20lb. Dip Tube (Syphon tube) CO2 Cylinder (sold separately) so the liquid can flow onto the pipe and freeze it.

How cold does the Cold-Shot Freeze Kit C02 freeze to?

CO2 freezes at minus 109 degrees F.

How can I isolate a line for repair, to replace a valve or extend out a new line without draining the system or causing a long shutdown?

This can be achieved through several different methods. The most popular way if the water in the line is not flowing is pipe freezing. Pipe Freeze Kits using CO2 are an inexpensive way to get the job done when draining the system is not an option. By pipe freezing you can place a 7000 PSI ice plug on one or both sides of your repair, complete the job and just let the ice plug thaw out. It just requires a pipe freeze kit and dip tube CO2 cylinders.

What type of pipe freeze kit will best meet my application?

This depends on your application and size of the pipe. There are two types of pipe freeze kits. The most popular for 1/8” to 2.00” pipe is the CST-2 Cold-Shot Pipe Freeze Kit by General Wire. It comes with dual pipe freeze capability that fits into small places and uses only a 20lb dip tube CO2 cylinder.

The second most popular style is the freeze jacket style like the economical Arctic Freeze Kit (1/4” to 6.00” pipe) or the more industrial model, the Qwik-Freeze Kit (3/4” to 8.00”) The jackets take more room to use but can go beyond 2.00” pipe. They can also freeze the line with about a 20-30% glycol mix.

Another popular style is the The Accu Freeze kit (AF-1000) Liquid Nitrogen Pipe Freezing System which can freeze lines up to 12.00".

Can any of these pipe freeze kits freeze lines containing glycol (anti-freeze)?

The bag-style freeze kits have a greater chance of freezing lines containing small amounts of glycol, but not within the freeze times listed. Knowing the concentration of glycol is hard to determine; consider the antifreeze in your car that came from the factory with a known percentage of antifreeze in the radiator, but who knows what percentage that is after years of use and adding fluids. Whenever dealing with glycol it is highly recommended that you obtain a sample of the line contents and perform a test freeze with the same type of pipe in a controlled environment. This test will help you determine how long it will take to get the line to freeze and how much CO2 will be needed to perform the freeze on the job site.

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