Nitrogen is an inert gas. This means it can be used for many types of analysis including Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Sample Evaporation and Evaporative Light Scattering Detectors.
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Laboratories typically buy nitrogen through one of three ways.
Dewars supply gas in large quantities, they are typically located outside the lab and the gas is piped inside. This requires a piping infrastructure to be in place which can be an expensive addition to a lab.
Labs worldwide commonly use nitrogen cylinders for gas supply, despite their lower safety and convenience compared to other options.
However, as many lab managers become aware of nitrogen generators and the benefits they bring to the laboratory, they are choosing gas generators to modernize their lab gas supply.
Gas generators continually provide a consistent purity of gas so you know that it can be relied on to enable your instrument to produce accurate results. With nitrogen gas cylinders it is advised to abandon the last 10% of the gas they contain as this can become contaminated with impurities as the cylinder is used. Given how sensitive equipment has become, it is crucial that labs are not being affected by background noise during their analysis, so this consistent purity is vital to ensure clear results every time.
With gas cylinders you don’t just have a single payment when you buy nitrogen gas. In addition to paying for the gas itself, you must also rent the cylinder which it is stored in and pay for cylinder deliveries. On top of these costs, the cost of the gas is subject to market influence and frequent price increases are almost inevitable.
In contrast, with a gas generator you have one, single up-front cost and, in cases where labs have a high gas usage, nitrogen gas generators can pay for themselves in as little as 18 months. Other than the purchase cost, the only other cost which will need to be factored into your budget is for annual maintenance of your gas generator. However, maintenance plan prices can usually be locked in for multiple years, making it very easy to factor maintenance costs into your budget.
Nitrogen gas generators are a safe gas supply solution as they produce gas on-demand for your application, never storing an amount of nitrogen gas which could be unsafe in the event of a leak. On the other hand, if a nitrogen gas cylinder, which typically stores around litres of nitrogen, were to be damaged and leak, it could very quickly change the atmosphere within the laboratory, potentially resulting in asphyxiation.
Once a gas generator has been installed it never needs to be moved. As gas cylinders run out, they need to repeatedly be changed over which can be a challenge and safety concern for laboratory staff. Anyone who is required to move or change nitrogen gas cylinders within the lab should have appropriate training in how to safely achieve this which also adds training costs to the lab and additional downtime for the staff.
A nitrogen generator in your lab will generate gas whenever you need it to, at the push of a button. You won’t have to worry about your gas supply running out mid-analysis as can happen with cylinders. Moreover, when you choose the gas generator option when you buy nitrogen gas, you are eliminating all of the associated administration that comes with using gas cylinders, such as placing repeated orders, arranging deliveries and switching out cylinders.
A nitrogen gas generator is, undoubtedly, the most sustainable and environmentally friendly method of supplying your lab gas. Helping you to eliminate repeated cylinder deliveries which goes a long way to lowering your labs carbon emissions, a gas generator can supply your lab with nitrogen 24/7 while having a far lower impact on the environment than cylinders or dewars.
At PEAK, we have also tested our gas generators against other nitrogen generators on the market and the results show that a PEAK nitrogen generator offers a more energy efficient nitrogen supply than our competitors. This not only improves your environmental impact, but helps you reduce lab costs in the long run.
With Cryomed cryosaunas, you have two options for liquid nitrogen storage and feed – non-pressurized Dewar containers or larger pressurized cryogenic tanks. In most cases, they are not interchangeable. Therefore, before buying a cryosauna, it is crucial to choose the type most suitable for your needs.
A cryo Dewar is a two-walled vacuum flask capable of keeping a relatively constant temperature of a cryogenic liquid over a long period. Design-wise, Dewars are big thermos bottles with loose-fitting caps.
Cryogenic Dewars are a good fit for cryotherapy centers with low to moderate customer flow. As a rule, Cryomed’s open-top cryosaunas come with two 35-liter non-pressurized tanks or, optionally, with two 50-liter tanks. If you expect more than ten cryo-goers daily, you might want to opt for pressurized cryogenic liquid cylinders.
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A liquid nitrogen cylinder is a pressurized vacuum-jacketed tank. It features valves for refilling and withdrawing liquid nitrogen, a pressure release valve and a pressure indicator for safety. In addition, a cylinder is fitted with a float level gauge to control the liquid nitrogen consumption.
Though both tanks serve the same purpose, non-pressurized Dewars and pressurized liquid nitrogen cylinders differ from each other in:
A pressurized cryo cylinder always stays outside a cryosauna. In smaller premises, a tank can sit in another room or even outside the building. The cryotherapy machine and the tank are linked by a standard two-meter cryogenic hose. However, Cryomed’s team can always find a suitable solution for your location, so feel free to reach out.
A 35-liter Dewar container weighs 17 kg when empty and comes with a wheeled platform, making it easy to move. In some countries, you can put it in your car and get it refilled at your supplier’s. However, in the majority of cases, such tanks get refilled at your place from a specialized truck.
Pressurized tanks are heavier and more large-sized. They are always refilled or replaced with a full tank at your place. Make sure to consult your supplier about any restrictions linked to your location in advance. If your business is on the 3rd floor in an old high-rise building without a heavy-duty elevator, Dewars may be a safer bet.
Pressurized tanks have a higher evaporation rate than non-pressurized cryo Dewars. In addition, nitrogen gets lost along the hose and on the junctions between the valve and the hose and between the tank and the hose. However, with a high customer flow, this loss is negligible.
For reference, pressurized tanks evaporate 2 to 5% of their capacity, depending on the manufacturer. Non-pressurized Dewars used by Cryomed evaporate 0.5% of their capacity.
Liquid nitrogen cylinders are expensive. Their price tag can easily reach up to several thousand euros, depending on their capacity and manufacturer. That’s why many cryopreneurs prefer renting cryo cylinders from local nitrogen suppliers.
A Dewar costs between 1,000 EUR and 1,500 EUR. Depending on your customer flow and nitrogen supply terms, you might need to buy more Dewars in addition to the two tanks you get together with a cryosauna.
As nitrogen consumption affects the number of sessions you can get out of your cryogenic container and, eventually, the session cost, there are a couple of things to bear in mind.
Consumption of liquid nitrogen in cryogenic tanks depends on:
That is why the number of sessions you can get from one cryogenic container is tentative.
Standard non-pressurized Dewar tanks have a 35-liter capacity, sufficient for one cooling and up to 8 treatment sessions. It is a good choice if you expect up to ten customers per day or buy a cryosauna for home use.
Pressurized tanks vary in capacity from 100 to 5,000 liters, but the most usual option is 240 liters. Out of a 240-liter tank, you can have some 60 sessions.
A cryogenic liquid cylinder is a convenient and cost-effective option that does not require frequent refills. It is most suitable for businesses with high customer flow, like a gym, a spa, or a clinic.
Now that you are clued in on the two types of cryogenic vessels, let’s see how to make the best choice.
That’s why it is crucial to find a local liquid nitrogen supplier and clarify their pricing and supply terms before you buy a cryosauna.
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