Arctic Freeze CO2 Pipe Freeze Kit - FAQ

What are the benefits of a jacketed system?

Arctic Freeze Kit pipe freeze jackets provide a wider freeze plug than a clamp style and can work with up to 10-20 percent glycol in a line. Always test the contents of a line to see what the actual percentage of glycol is. It also takes more time to freeze than the chart shows.

What is the difference between the Arctic Freeze Kit and the Qwik-Freezer Pipe Freeze System?

The Arctic Freeze Kit is a good system for companies that do small to medium amounts of pipe freezing monthly. The Qwik-Freezer System is for companies performing medium to larger amounts of pipe freezing monthly.

What type of pipe can I freeze with the Arctic Freeze Kit?

The Arctic Freeze Pipe Freeze Kits can freeze many types of liquids in steel, copper, aluminum, cast iron, ductile iron and only up to 2.00" plastic pipe.

What is the time frame for freezing pipe?

The Arctic Freeze time chart below and in the manual are based on freezing times for steel pipe with the water being completely stopped and at 70° F or cooler. SPECIAL NOTE: Arctic Freeze Kits can only freeze plastic pipe up to 2.00". It will takes 3 -4 times as long to freeze and will use 3-4 times the amount of CO2 for plastic pipe. Never freeze thin wall plastic pipe.

Always make sure you have enough CO2 to complete your job. When freezing any pipe besides steel, copper or aluminum, it is best practice to always perform a test freeze in your facility under the same conditions before actually freezing cast iron, ductile iron or PVC pipe at the job site. There are no specific time charts for these types of pipe. Always consult the manual that comes with your kit for complete freezing directions.

Can the Arctic 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 in the manual are based on steel pipe with water at 70° 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 so it can freeze.

Do I need anything else to make this freeze?

Yes, it requires one or more 20lb. or 50lb. Dip Tube (Syphon tube) CO2 Cylinders (sold separately) so the liquid can flow onto the pipe and freeze it.

How cold does the Arctic 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 20lb dip tube CO2 cylinders.

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 (3/8" 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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