The CO2 Snow Cleaning process removes micron and submicron particulates and hydrocarbon-based contamination. Carbon dioxide snow cleaning is nondestructive, nonabrasive, residue-free, and environmentally friendly - there is no chemical waste.

The cleaning process is based upon the expansion of either liquid or gaseous carbon dioxide through an orifice. This expansion leads to the nucleation of small dry ice particles and a high velocity gas carrier stream. Upon impact with a dirty surface, the dry ice media removes particles by momentum transfer, even micron and submicron particulates, and hydrocarbons via a transient solvent or a freeze fracture mechanism. The high-velocity gas blows the contaminants away.