How quickly does dry ice typically cool the pavement?

Dry ice cools pavement rapidly due to its extremely low temperature, which is around -78.5 degrees Celsius (-109.3 degrees Fahrenheit). When applied to hot mix asphalt, the thermal properties of dry ice create an immediate cooling effect. Typically, it takes about 3 minutes for dry ice to achieve a significant reduction in temperature across the surface of the pavement.

This timeframe allows for effective cooling, as the sublimation of the dry ice directly absorbs heat from the asphalt. In practice, this quick cooling is crucial for preventing issues associated with temperature gradients during the laying and compaction of asphalt, which can affect the overall quality and longevity of the pavement. The other time options are less likely as they either extend the cooling time beyond practical use or do not accurately reflect the rapid cooling characteristics of dry ice.