Skip to main content

Cryogenic Safety

This section provides safety information and precautions regarding cryogenic fluids and defines the hazards associated with their use.

Definitions

A cryogenic liquid is defined as a liquid with a normal boiling point below –150 °C.

Cryogenic liquids escape from their storage containers via evaporation as a part of their normal operation. Properties of cryogenic liquids are shown in Table 9.1. A 160 L tank loses a gas amount equivalent to 2 L of liquid per day, depending on the type of Dewar material used. To minimize the heat loss, cryogenic liquid containers are usually in vacuum-jacketed design. Excessive venting and/or a partial ice accumulation on vessel walls are a sign of an integrity problem in the vessel or in process line. A leaking container should not be used and be transported to a well-ventilated area. 

Table 9.1: Properties of cryogenic liquids
GasBoiling Point CentigradeBoiling Point KelvinVolume Expansion to Gas
Helium-3 -269.93.2757 to 1
Helium-4-268.94.2757 to 1
Hydrogen-252.720.4851 to 1
Deuterium-249.5 23.6...
Tritium-248.025.1...
Neon-245.927.21438 to 1
Nitrogen-195.877.3696 to 1 
Carbon monoxide-192.081.1...
Fluorine -187.086.0888 to 1
Argon-185.7 87.4847 to 1
Oxygen-183.0 90.1860 to 1
Methane -161.4111.7 578 to 1
Krypton-151.8121.3700 to 1
Tetrafluoromethane-128145. . . 
Ozone -111.9161.3 . . . 
Xenon-109.1164.0573 to 1 
Ethylene -103.8 169.3. . . 
Boron trifluoride-100.3172.7 . . . 
Nitrous oxide-89.5183.6666 to 1
Ethane -88.3 184.8...
Hydrogen chloride -85.0188.0...
Acetylene-84.0189.1 ...
Fluoroform -84.0189.1...
1,1-Difluoroethylene -83.0190.0... 
Chlorotrifluoromethane-81.4 191.6. . .
Carbon dioxide -78 5(b)194.6553 to 1

Adopted from Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, OSH Answers Fact Sheets.

References and sources for information from the relevant websites and documentation of different universities, NGOs and government agencies used in the preparation of this website are provided at references.

Home

FENS Dean's Office

Orta Mahalle, 34956 Tuzla, İstanbul, Türkiye

+90 216 483 96 00

© Sabancı University 2023