Cryogenic Information Library
About Cryogenics
Cryogenics — the study and use of low-temperature
phenomena. Encyclopedia Britannica
Cryogenics dates from 1877 when oxygen was first cooled to the point where
it became a liquid. Superconductivity was discovered in 1911.
Applications of cryogenics now include the storage and transportation of
liquefied gases, food preservation, cryosurgery, rocket fuels, and
super-conducting electromagnets.
Generally the science of cryogenics involves temperatures below that which
can be reached with conventional refrigeration equipment. Many gases
become liquids at these low temperatures.
Gases into Liquid form
All gases, when cooled, condense and some can become liquid.
Cryogenic liquids are usually stored in vacuum insulated flasks, called
dewars, after their inventor, Sir James
Dewar. The dewar was invented in 1892.
Technifab manufactures a standard line of LN2 lab dewars
available direct online at www.cryodewars.com.
Cryogenic Temperature Ranges
Cryogenic temperatures range from -238°F (-150°C or 123.2 K) to
absolute zero. At low temperatures, matter has unusual properties.
Substances that are naturally gases can be liquefied at low temperatures, and
metals lose electrical resistance as they get colder.
Boiling Temperature at one atmosphere pressure
| |
Celsius |
Fahrenheit |
Kelvin |
| Oxygen |
-183 |
-297 |
90 |
| Nitrogen |
-196 |
-320 |
78 |
| Neon |
-246 |
-411 |
27 |
| Hydrogen |
-253 |
-423 |
20 |
| Helium |
-269 |
-452 |
4 |
Density of Solid Cryogens at Triple Point
| Fluid |
g/cc |
lb/ft3 |
Triple Point
Temp (K) |
| p-Hydrogen |
.087 |
5.4 |
13.8 |
| Neon |
1.429 |
89.1 |
24.6 |
| Nitrogen |
.977 |
61.0 |
63.1 |
| Carbon Monoxide |
.929 |
58.0 |
68.1 |
| Argon |
1.621 |
101.2 |
83.8 |
| Oxygen |
1.360 |
84.9 |
54.4 |
| Methane |
.492 |
30.7 |
90.7 |
References:
www.dryiceinfo.com
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Cryogenics and Fluids
Branch
Fuel Cell Store
www.thefreedictionary.com/liquid oxygen
wisconsin-chem.edu
NIST
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