Useful Facts About Cryogenic Gases

By Laura Williams


Cryogenic liquids refer to gasses that have been liquefied and stored in their liquid state at extremely low temperatures. There are other names that are used to refer to these substances, which include cryogenic liquefied gasses, refrigerated liquefied gases, and deeply refrigerated gases. Cryogenic gases are usually formed from cryogenic liquids that have been vaporized. These substances have very many applications in industrial and commercial settings.

The low temperature properties of these gasses makes them very useful in a wide range of applications. For example, very low temperatures in the gases are applied in contracting components for machinery. This is done to enable components to form very tight joints with each other. The other application is that frozen gasses take up much less space making it easier to transport large amounts easily. For example, one liter of the liquid is only formed by around 690 to 850 liters of the gas. This can be ferried much easily.

Cryogenic gasses have the typical boiling point below -150 degree Celsius but handful exceptions exist to this rule. For example, the boiling points of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are at much higher temperatures. However, they are still considered as cryogens. The boiling point of carbon dioxide is -78.5 degrees Celsius. Nitrous Oxide boils at -88.5 degrees Celsius. Several other cryogens boil at temperatures that are much lower. Helium boils at -269 degrees.

The properties of cryogens render them both dangerous and useful to animal and human life. These gasses for example trigger serious burns the instant they come in touch with bare skin and eyes due to their low temperatures. Tissue damage occurs immediately someone makes contact with un-insulated pipes or equipment used in transporting and storing cryogens.

The damage to the tissue that is experienced is similar to that caused by a hot source. In case of the skin or eyes being sprayed with a stream of the gas, immediate freezing will occur. For that reason, it is very important to wear proper protective gear when handling these substances. One is required to wear protective clothing and gloves to avoid the adverse effects that the gasses have on the body.

Also, cryogens cause adverse effects on plastics, carbon steels, and some types of rubber. These materials become brittle when exposed to cryogens. This makes them susceptible to failure if they have exposure to the slightest amount of stress. Other materials never undergo brittle transition upon being exposed to very low temperatures, which causes them to retain their ductility. Copper, aluminum, brass, specific plastics, and stainless steels are such materials.

Cryogens usually cause blockages in pipes, vessels, and equipment as a result of freezing of moisture and humidity inside. The freezing results from the cold nature of cryogens. As a result of the formation of ice, instrument lines, stop valves, pressure gauges, and safety valves among other apparatus may stop to operate correctly. If not corrected, this could cause a major safety hazard or accident.

Rupturing of containers and equipment or catastrophic failure are problems known to originate from cryogens. Vaporization of cryogenic liquid generates a buildup of pressure which causes the rupture. As the liquid absorbs thermal energy within its surrounding, it vaporizes, causing a huge pressure buildup.




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