A Cryogenic Liquid cylinder is a vacuum-insulated, double-wall pressure vessel used to store and dispense liquefied gases at extremely low temperatures (typically below −150°C / −238°F), such as liquid nitrogen (LN₂), liquid oxygen (LOX), liquid argon (LAr), liquid helium (LHe), or LNG. It minimizes heat leak with high vacuum + multilayer insulation, manages internal pressure with a pressure-building system, and lets users withdraw gas or liquid safely through dedicated valves.
Cryogenic liquids absorb heat quickly from the environment. Even a small heat leak can cause:
Boil-off (liquid turning to vapor)
Pressure rise inside the vessel
Product loss and safety risks if pressure isn’t controlled
A Cryogenic Liquid cylinder is engineered specifically to reduce heat ingress and to control pressure reliably during storage, transport, and withdrawal.
Most cylinders use:
Inner vessel (contains the cryogenic liquid)
Outer jacket (protective shell)
High-vacuum space between them, often with super insulation (e.g., multilayer reflective insulation)
This structure dramatically reduces heat transfer by conduction and convection.
Cryogenic liquids naturally boil as they absorb heat. Cylinders manage this with:
A pressure-building circuit (PBC) that intentionally warms a small amount of liquid to build pressure when needed
Regulators/valves to maintain usable delivery pressure for your process
For applications needing liquid (not gas), a dedicated liquid withdrawal valve and internal dip tube enable controlled liquid draw.
A typical Cryogenic Liquid cylinder may include:
Fill connection (for refilling)
Liquid valve (liquid withdrawal)
Gas use valve (gas withdrawal)
Pressure-building valve (to raise pressure)
Vent valve (for controlled depressurization)
Pressure gauge / level indicator (type varies by design)
Safety relief devices (relief valve and/or burst disc)
Vaporizer/coil (on some models) to convert liquid to gas at higher flow rates
Portable cryogenic cylinders: smaller capacity, easier handling, frequent use in labs/hospitals
Stationary microbulk / small bulk vessels: higher capacity, longer hold time, better economics for steady consumption
Gas-use cylinders (optimized for gas delivery)
Liquid-withdrawal cylinders (optimized for liquid supply)
Dual-purpose cylinders (both liquid and gas, depending on operating mode)
Design details can change depending on the medium (e.g., LOX cleanliness requirements, LHe extreme temperature performance, LNG operating pressure/flow needs).
A Cryogenic Liquid cylinder is widely used across energy, industry, and life sciences, for example:
Hydrogen & energy: purge gas supply, cryogenic test systems, pilot projects, supporting gas infrastructure
Industrial gas: metal fabrication, inerting, heat treatment, glass manufacturing
Medical & healthcare: oxygen supply systems (site-dependent), cryosurgery support, lab storage
Laboratory & biotech: LN₂ for sample storage, cold traps, controlled environments
Electronics: inert atmospheres, cooling, specialty processes
Food & beverage: freezing, chilling, inerting/packaging
Compared with standard compressed gas cylinders, cryogenic cylinders can offer:
More usable gas in a smaller footprint (liquid-to-gas expansion is large)
Stable supply for higher flow demand
Fewer cylinder changeovers in many scenarios
Potentially lower total handling cost when consumption is significant
That said, they also require correct venting, handling discipline, and an understanding of boil-off behavior.
Cryogenic equipment is safe when used properly, but the hazards are real. Key points:
Cold burn / frostbite risk
Wear appropriate PPE (cryogenic gloves, face shield, long sleeves) when connecting/disconnecting.
Asphyxiation risk
Nitrogen and argon can displace oxygen. Use in well-ventilated areas and consider O₂ monitoring indoors.
Oxidizer hazard (LOX)
Liquid oxygen can make materials burn more intensely. Keep away from oils/grease and incompatible materials.
Pressure hazard
Never block relief devices. Don’t seal vents. Follow procedures for depressurizing.
Transport and securing
Keep cylinders secured upright, protect valves, and follow local transport rules.
If you’re building procedures for a site, treat manufacturer manuals and your local codes as the final authority.
When buyers search “Cryogenic Liquid cylinder,” they’re usually trying to match a cylinder to a real operating condition. Use this checklist:
LN₂, LOX, LAr, LHe, LNG, etc. Medium affects material requirements, cleanliness, operating temperature, and safety configuration.
Think in terms of:
daily/weekly consumption
delivery logistics (refill frequency)
space constraints
Your process needs a certain flow and pressure stability. Specify:
peak and continuous flow
gas vs liquid withdrawal
expected ambient conditions
Ask about:
static evaporation rate
normal holding time
These depend on insulation quality, duty cycle, and environment.
Different projects require different codes and certifications. Define the target markets early (e.g., which country/region the cylinder will be used in).
Filling is performed via dedicated fill connections with correct couplings and procedures to avoid thermal shock, contamination, or overfill.
Open valves slowly to prevent sudden pressure/temperature changes
Use pressure-building only when needed
Keep fittings clean and capped when not in use
Periodically check for abnormal frosting patterns (can indicate insulation issues)
Inspect valves, gauges, and safety devices per schedule
If vacuum integrity degrades, performance drops—plan for service or refurbishment
Dewar (open or low-pressure vessel): great for short-term LN₂ use and lab handling; typically not designed for controlled high-pressure gas delivery
Cryogenic Liquid cylinder: portable/medium capacity, controlled pressure, safer dispensing of gas or liquid
Bulk tank (large stationary): best for high continuous consumption and lowest unit cost at scale
If you’re frequently swapping standard gas cylinders or struggling with unstable flow, a Cryogenic Liquid cylinder or microbulk system is often the logical next step.
If you’re sourcing a Cryogenic Liquid cylinder for industrial gas, LNG-related systems, or energy applications, CIMC ENRIC can support you with:
Engineering support to match capacity, pressure, and withdrawal mode to your process
Configurations for gas-use, liquid-withdrawal, or dual-use needs
Project-oriented supply capabilities for international delivery and documentation needs
If you tell us your medium, target capacity, required flow/pressure, and country of use, we can recommend a practical configuration and selection roadmap that aligns with your operating conditions and compliance expectations.
A: Many cryogenic liquids are stored below −150°C, with common products like LN₂ (around −196°C) and LOX (around −183°C). Exact temperatures vary by liquid and pressure.
A: Yes—many designs support both, but performance and configuration depend on whether your priority is stable gas flow or reliable liquid withdrawal.
A: Small venting can occur to protect the vessel from overpressure due to heat ingress and boil-off. Proper installation and ventilation are essential.
A: Often yes for moderate-to-high consumption because you store more product in liquid form—but it depends on your usage pattern, logistics, and boil-off management.
If you want a fast, accurate recommendation from CIMC ENRIC, send these 6 details:
Medium (LN₂/LOX/LAr/LHe/LNG/other)
Gas or liquid withdrawal (or both)
Required outlet pressure range
Peak/continuous flow rate
Capacity target + footprint limits
Country/region of installation
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