Useful And Essential Facts About Cryogenic Gases

By Jason Clark


The term cryogenic is usually used to refer to something that produces or is related to very low temperatures. As such, the term cryogenics refer to gases that have been subjected to very low temperatures to form liquids or solids. The boiling point of these gasses is usually below -150 degrees centigrade. Nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide usually have higher boiling points but are also classified under cryogenic substances. Here are facts regarding Cryogenic gases.

These substances exist in the form of gas at room temperature and pressure. Before they are subjected to elevated pressure so as to liquefy them, they should be cooled below the room temperature. The turning of cryogens into liquid can occur under different conditions. There are two properties that are common in all cryogens. One of them is that they are extremely cold and the second one is that small quantities of liquid change into huge amounts of gas when they evaporate.

The released gas or vapor is normally extremely cold. The moisture around the gas is condensed by the low temperatures. As such, this leads to visible mist being formed. Should cryogens be stored in poorly insulated tanks, they cause condensation of the surrounding air, forming a liquid mixture of air.

There are risks associated with working with cryogens. For this reason, any person that handles cryogens needs to understand all the risks involved with the job clearly. In addition, they are supposed to implement various precautions in order to prevent and overcome accidents in case they occur. There are standards that have been formulated and are in use. These standards are meant to ensure safety of people who work with these substances.

Cryogens exist in three major groups, that is, inert gasses, flammable gasses, and oxygen. Each cryogen has its own unique properties, but they all fall in the three groups named above. Inert gasses do not undergo any form of chemical reaction to any great extent. As such, they do not burn and they do not support combustion. Examples of gases that can be classified under this group are krypton, neon, argon, helium, and nitrogen.

As the name suggests, flammable gasses are flammable and burn in the presence of air. Liquefied gasses, hydrogen, and methane are some of the gasses in this groud. Because of the ability of oxygen to support combustion, it is usually categorized in its own category. In the presence of oxygen, most substances that are generally incombustible normally burn. When discussing cryogens, this necessitates considering oxygen separately.

With respect to the risks associated with these substances, it is imperative that careful measures are taken when storing them. Normally, they are stored in containers that are thermally insulated. The containers are made in such a manner that they are able to withstand high differences in temperature. In addition to that, they can also withstand fast changes in temperatures.

Cryogens can cause several medical effects to the body. Burns on the skin similar to those caused by heat can also be caused by very cold gases. Frostbites that cause waxy yellow color in the skin are usually caused by exposure to materials that are extremely cold. One experiences extreme pain when tissues at the point of contact with cryogens thaws.




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