A bolsa de hielo seco does not leak meltwater. Dry ice sublimates straight to CO₂ gas, so any “wet” you see on a bolsa de hielo seco or carton is condensation from humid air, or frost thawing as the surface warms. You can stop it with insulation, a vapor barrier, smart label placement, and safe venting that meets 2025 normas.
-
Why “sweat” happens: Dew point physics for a bolsa de hielo seco in real warehouses and vans
-
How to stop drips: A 6‑step pack‑out that keeps a bolsa de hielo seco dry on the outside
-
Sizing the refrigerant: How much dry ice a bolsa de hielo seco needs for 24–72 h lanes
-
Seguridad & cumplimiento: UN1845, Aquí está Pi 954 (2025), and why venting a bolsa de hielo seco is mandatory
-
Dry vs. gel: When a bolsa de hielo seco beats gel packs—and when gels are smarter
Why does a bolsa de hielo seco “sweat” instead of leak water?
Respuesta central: A bolsa de hielo seco never makes liquid water; it makes CO₂ gas. The “sweat” is moisture from the air condensing on a surface colder than the dew point, or frost that later thaws. Think of a cold soda can on a humid day—same physics, colder surface.
What’s going on: When warehouse or last‑mile air hits a bolsa de hielo seco that is far below freezing, the outer film or carton sits under the local dew point. Water vapor becomes droplets or frost on that cold surface. As the route progresses and the surface warms, frost turns to visible water. Your bolsa de hielo seco didn’t leak; the air did. Use insulation to keep the outer surface warmer than the dew point, and add a vapor barrier to shield fiberboard.
Dew‑point thresholds for a bolsa de hielo seco
Que ver, de un vistazo
| Factor | Valor típico | What it means | Para ti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient temperature | 23 ° C / 73 ° F | Warm air carries more moisture | Higher sweat potential |
| Relative humidity | 60–75% | Higher RH → higher dew point | Plan barriers/absorbents |
| Dew point | 15–20 ° C | Condensation threshold | Keep outer wall ≥ dew point |
| Outer carton surface | 5–15 ° C | Below dew point in most lanes | Expect “sweat” without fixes |
Consejos prácticos
-
Warm the outside, not the payload: Add insulation or a foil/PE liner so the outer wall of the bolsa de hielo seco stays at/above the dew point.
-
Move paperwork: Put labels on a warm sleeve or second carton panel, away from cold spots on the bolsa de hielo seco.
-
Limit humid air exchange: Pack fast in a cooled room; keep doors shut on muggy docks.
Estuche de campo: A seafood shipper saw soaked labels in summer. After adding a foil‑laminated liner + double‑wall carton to warm the surface and moving labels to a sleeve, “wet box” complaints fell near zero with no temperature excursions.
Will a bolsa de hielo seco leak water inside the box?
Respuesta corta: No—any interior moisture is from humid air that got in, or frost that later thawed. Add a vapor‑tight inner liner, but keep the outer package vented so CO₂ from the bolsa de hielo seco can escape safely.
Causes of interior “wet”: Air exchange during handling, damp product packaging, and cold inner films sitting below dew point. A sealed bolsa de hielo seco is not the culprit; sealing is unsafe and non‑compliant anyway. Use a vapor barrier to trap cold at the core and protect fiberboard from moisture ingress.
Pack‑out steps to stop a bolsa de hielo seco from “sweating”
-
Pre‑condition shipper in a cool, dry room (30–60 min).
-
Load dry ice into a bolsa de hielo seco; cinch, don’t hermetically seal.
-
Insert into a foil/PE vapor barrier; close the liner at the top.
-
Use adequate insulation (EPS/EPP/VIP or high‑R paper liners).
-
Place labels on a warm sleeve or secondary outer carton.
-
Vent safely—packages must not be airtight (UN1845, Aquí está Pi 954).
How it helps: The inner barrier reduces moisture ingress; more insulation keeps the outer wall above the dew point; venting from the bolsa de hielo seco prevents pressure and keeps performance consistent.
¿Cuánto hielo seco debería un bolsa de hielo seco carry to avoid over‑cooling the outer wall?
Regla general: Plan ~5–10 lb per 24 h depending on insulation and lane heat load. More mass holds temperature longer but can drop the carton surface further below the dew point if insulation is thin. Balance dose, aislamiento, and dwell time.
Quick estimator for a bolsa de hielo seco (copy/paste)
Validate with a small A/B test and data loggers; adjust for summer/winter lanes.
3‑step self‑check (engagement tool)
-
Is your packing room ≤20 °C and RH under control?
-
Is the outer wall of the bolsa de hielo seco likely ≥ local dew point?
-
Are vents unobstructed and labels placed on a warm sleeve?
Is a bolsa de hielo seco safe and compliant in 2025 (UN1845, Aquí está Pi 954)?
Yes—if it’s vented and marked. Dry ice bag shipments must permit CO₂ to escape, carry UN1845 marks, and declare net dry‑ice mass. Hacer no make the package airtight. Seguridad de los trabajadores: ventilate vehicles and rooms; follow exposure guidance.
Key notes for 2025:
-
Venting required: Never seal a bolsa de hielo seco hermético.
-
Calificación: “Dry ice / Dióxido de carbono, sólido,"UN1845, and net mass (kilos).
-
Air acceptance: Follow IATA DGR 66th Edition (PI 954).
-
Seguridad: Handle bolsa de hielo seco with gloves; ventilate to avoid CO₂ buildup.
Dry ice bag vs gel packs—when does water really matter?
If zero free water at delivery is critical, a bolsa de hielo seco wins. It generates no meltwater. For 2–8 °C lanes, sweat‑proof gels are often simpler with fewer hazmat steps. Combine wisely if you use both.
| Use case | Dry ice bag | paquetes de gel | Que hacer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alimentos congelados (≤ −18 ° C) | Long hold, Sin agua de fusión | Can create condensation as they warm | Prefer dry ice + barrier |
| Chilled 2–8 °C | Over‑cool risk | Tunable and non‑hazmat | Prefer sweat‑proof gels/PCMs |
| Label integrity | Needs condensation control | Needs absorbent control | Use label sleeve + barrier |
| Air compliance | Se aplican las reglas de la UN1845 | Not dangerous goods | Choose based on temp target |
Practical scenario: Switching to a bolsa de hielo seco with a foil liner and label sleeve cut “wet box” claims by >80% in 2‑day lanes, with compliance ≥99%.
2025 trends that make a bolsa de hielo seco drier and smarter
Qué hay de nuevo: Reusable VIP shippers that keep outer walls warm, PFAS‑free paper liners with better barrier performance, and broader use of IoT loggers for temp/RH/CO₂. These reduce condensation windows and waste while supporting sustainability goals.
Último de un vistazo
-
Reusable/VIP expansion: Warmer outer surfaces for the same payload window
-
Barrier upgrades: Foil/PE and next‑gen papers replace legacy coatings
-
Smarter ops: Lane analytics + self‑checks standardize bolsa de hielo seco success
Insight del mercado: Cold‑chain packaging grows steadily on biologics and e‑grocery volumes; PCM híbrido + bolsa de hielo seco strategies right‑size dose and cut moisture‑related claims.
Preguntas frecuentes
Does a bolsa de hielo seco sweat or leak water?
No. Dry ice sublimates to CO₂ gas. “Sweat” is condensation or thawed frost on cold surfaces. Control dew point exposure with insulation and a vapor barrier.
Why was my carton wet after using a bolsa de hielo seco?
Fiberboard absorbs condensation when its surface sits below the dew point. Add a foil/PE liner, use dual absorbent pads, and move labels to a warm sleeve.
How much dry ice for 48 h?
Typically 12–16 lb in quality EPS; more for thin foam or hotter lanes. Validate with data loggers before scaling.
Can I seal a bolsa de hielo seco to reduce moisture?
No. Packages must vent gas by rule. Hermetic sealing is unsafe and non‑compliant. Use internal vapor barriers instead.
Resumen & Recomendaciones
Puntos clave: A bolsa de hielo seco doesn’t make water; the air does. Keep outer surfaces above the dew point with insulation and a vapor barrier, place labels on a warm sleeve, and keep packages vented and marked per UN1845/IATA PI 954. Plan ~5–10 lb per 24 h and validate by lane.
Siguientes pasos (CTA):
-
Run a 2‑box A/B this week: current vs. foil/PE barrier + sleeve.
-
Log temp/RH/CO₂ on one high‑humidity lane.
-
Standardize a 6‑step bolsa de hielo seco pack‑out in your SOPs.
-
Habla con Tempk for a lane‑specific “no‑sweat” pack‑out template.
Acerca de Tempk
We are a cold‑chain packaging and analytics team focused on dry ice, PCM, and compliant shippers. We pair validated EPS/VIP systems with practical moisture control—barriers, absorbents, and process checks—so your bolsa de hielo seco shipments arrive dry and on‑spec. Typical outcomes: >80% fewer wet‑box complaints and measurable cost savings from right‑sized refrigerant loads.
Ready for a dry, compliant pack‑out? Solicitar un bolsa de hielo seco audit and validation plan today.
