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6 Cryogenic Tank Manufacturer

Cryogenic liquids exist at extremely low temperatures which is why specialized equipment is required for their transportation and storage. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just possible to store cryogenic liquids in a standard container.

Doing so would make it impossible to handle them and would also present health and safety risks to those who work with them. Cryogenic tanks are built for this express purpose.

They’re manufactured with durable materials that are able to withstand such low temperatures. Additional precautions are also built into the equipment so as to reduce any chances of leakage.

What is a cryogenic tank?

Cryogenic tanks are the containers that are used to store cryogenic liquids such as liquid nitrogen, helium, argon, etc. Cryogenic tanks are also utilized for storing gases like liquefied natural gas and nitrous oxide at higher temperatures.

It’s vital for these tanks to be thermally insulated so as to maintain the low temperatures. This is achieved through the use of a vacuum jacket. It’s vital that this component be designed and manufactured to a high specification that follows established international design codes. 

Cryogenic tanks can be of several different kinds. Static or fixed tanks are those that are used in a fixed location, such as a cryogenic processing facility. Static tanks also include the small mobile tanks that are mounted on wheels for use in labs and workshops. 

These small cryogenic tanks are also known as pressure vessels. There are non-pressurised open neck vessels called Dewar flasks available as well for use in scenarios where direct access to the cryogenic liquid is required.

It’s possible to repair cryogenic tanks but it’s not a job that just about anyone can do. Any repairs or modifications to such tanks should be carried out by a skilled repairer who performs the job in line with the design codes to which the tank was manufactured. 

They also need to be mindful of the prevailing regulations and legislation. 

Any and all repairs or modifications carried out need to be documented so that records can be kept for as long as the tank is in service.

Where cryogenic tanks fit in the cryogenic treatment process

Cryogenic tanks are integral to the entire cryogenic treatment process. Without them, it would not be possible to transport and store cryogenic liquids. So it can be said that the cryogenic treatment process wouldn’t be possible without these tanks. 

Their efficacy isn’t just limited to the storage and transport of the cryogenic materials. These tanks also play an important role in the deep cryogenic treatment process, where metals and plastics are kept submerged in the cryogenic liquids for up to 24 hours. 

As previously discussed, it’s not possible to do this with a conventional tank. There would be too many factors at play that would disrupt the treatment process. That’s what makes cryogenic tanks so vital to the entire process. Without them, deep cryogenic treatment can’t take place.

State of the industry: cryogenic tanks

There’s a fair bit of legislation that governs the industry’s use of cryogenic tanks. They have to be operated and maintained in a manner that’s in compliance of these regulations. 

Only designated competent persons are to maintain and manage the cryogenic tanks. The industry abides by these regulations. As such, static tanks are put through inspections at regular intervals. Routine maintenance and periodic formal examination is also carried out. 

The maintenance and inspection regime has to be created so that it can be ensured that the tank is in a position to allow safe operation at all periods of time between the formal examinations. 

Periodic inspection and testing is also required for transportable tanks and this can only be performed by an inspection body. These inspections and examinations have to be documented and the records have to be retained for the life of the tank. 

There’s a duty of care that the industry needs to abide by when they own or use cryogenic tanks. Responsible gas suppliers will only fill a cryogenic tank once they’re satisfied that it’s safe to do so.

Major cryogenic tank manufacturers

    • LapesaLapesa is a leading manufacturer of pressure vessels. This family enterprise was founded in 1964 and it manufactures cryogenic gas storage tanks, storage tanks for liquid fuels, and more. The company’s production facilities are located in Zaragoza, Spain.Its cryogenic tanks have two vessels, one inside the other, with thermal insulation in the chamber between them.The heat insulation is provided with an insulating material and a high vacuum that fills the chamber in between the two vessels. Greater vacuum stability is provided by absorbent material.Lapesa designs its cryogenic tanks for different working pressures from 5 – 42 bar. They’re certified according to European Directive 2014/68/EU on Pressurised Equipment.

 

    • Linde EngineeringLinde Engineering has been in the business of supplying cryogenic tanks for liquefied gases since 1960. It has supplied over 20,000 cryogenic tanks at the highest quality standard designs and created individual solutions tailored to customer requirements. Linde’s cryogenic tanks range in capacity from 3,000 to > 100,000 with standardized working pressures of 18, 22, or 36 bar respectively. They also comply with the European Pressure Equipment Directive. Each tank is vacuum insulated with the inner vessels and piping being made of stainless steel. The shell on the outside is specially coated while a vacuum-perlite system with a molecular sieve adsorbent is applied for robust insulation.

 

    • CryolorAir Liquide’s Cryolor is an expert in manufacturing cryogenic tank solutions for the transport of liquefied nitrogen, argon, or oxygen. Its Claire 3 trailers offer the best payload in their category of all stainless-steel with highly stable and optimized space occupation.Cryolor’s semi trailers are compliant with all relevant regulatory directives from the control cabinet to the chassis and axles. Its products also include swap-body/chassis tankers, isocontainers, and more. Air Liquide has decades of experience developing solutions for the storage and transport of cryogenic materials. It’s one of the leaders in the industry.

 

    • Auguste CryogenicsAuguste Cryogenics offers both small and bulk cryogenic tanks that can be utilized for many different applications. These tanks are available in sizes from 2,000 up to 350,000 litres with all vessels being built up to the customer’s requirements.The company’s tanks include superior vacuum technology for highest thermal performance and feature all stainless steel piping for strength and corrosion resistance.These vacuum-insulated pressure vessels are used to store cryogenic liquefied gases like nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and more.The company’s production facility is located in Slovakia and is ISO:9001 certified and in compliance with the European Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU

 

    • CryofabCryofab, Inc. is also among the leaders in cryogenic equipment providers. It manufactures and services cryogenic tanks and accessories aside from offering custom and standard fabrications to customers across the globe.The company’s products include cryogenic tanks, double wall vacuum vessels, cold traps, pressure vessels, vacuum jacketed piping, and more. Its cryogenic tank sizes range from 1 litre to 5,000 litres and comply with regulatory directives.Cryofab, Inc. was founded in 1971 and has since been offering its solutions to clients in the semiconductor, laboratory, medical, industrial, and other fields.

 

  • Wessington CryogenicsWessington Cryogenics has been in the business of manufacturing cryogenic tanks since 1984. Its products have received the stamp of approval in line with major pressure vessel code requirements.Its cryogenic storage solutions range from general purpose open dewards to mili-colded vessels for liquid nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. The company also provides spares and accessories including full automatic liquid level control equipment.Wessington Cryogenics provides repair and refurbishment services as well to repair all makes of cryogenic tanks and return them in “as new” condition.

What cryogenic tanks does CTP Cryogenics use?

Controlled Thermal Processing Cryogenics manufactures and sells state-of-the-art cryogenic equipment to industry leaders across the globe. Our vacuum insulated equipment is rugged and efficient, thereby lowering materials operating costs for our customers. 

The cryogenic equipment that we manufacture is suitable for any cryogenic processing application. 

Our machines have an internal heat exchanger in a vacuum insulated Dewar to provide customers with more control to achieve a consistent output. There are three different sizes on offer so you can choose the right tool for the job at hand. 

Our innovative design enables our cryogenic tempering equipment to boast the lowest use of liquid nitrogen of any available machine on the market. The permanent vacuum insulation does its job reliably and efficiently since there’s no compressor pump to fail or material to degrade.

The patented heat exchanger used in these machines relies on a completely dry process so no spray bars are required to spray liquid nitrogen on the payload. The integrated heating element also allows for tempering within the machine itself.

All of our machines come with a one-year warranty, during that period the manufacturer will supply any replacement parts needed to fix any defects in workmanship or materials at no cost to the customer. 

Get in touch with CTP Cryogenics today for a quote.