CHE1010 PROCESS PLANT UTILITIES

Dr. Bandaru Kiran

School of Chemical Engineering
VIT, Vellore, TN, India – 632 014.
 Module 4

Cryogenics – Concept &

Characteristics
Introduction
• Kryo – Very cold (frost); Genics – to produce. Hence the term
‘Cryogenics’ refers to the “Science and art of producing very cold”.

• Cryogenics is the science and technology associated with generation of

low temperature below 123 K
Temperature scales
Cryogen
• Fluid with normal boiling point less than 123 K
T-S diagram of a Cryogen
Properties of few cryogen
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Hydrogen (LH2)
• Hydrogen exists in diatomic form as H2

• It has three isotopes viz, hydrogen, deuterium and tritium

Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Hydrogen (LH2)
• Hydrogen exists in two molecular forms - Ortho and Para. With the
decrease in the temperature, the Ortho hydrogen is converted to the
Para hydrogen

• Para form is a low energy form and therefore heat is liberated during
conversion

• Conversion of ortho to para form of hydrogen is an exothermic reaction.

This conversion is a very slow process. In order to make this
conversion faster, catalysts are added.

• During liquefaction, the heat of conversion causes evaporation of 70%

of hydrogen originally liquefied. This is an important constraint in
liquefaction and storage of H2.
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Hydrogen (LH2)
• Cryogenic engines are powered by propellants like liquid hydrogen.

• It is being considered as fuel for automobiles

• Cryocoolers working on a closed cycle use hydrogen as working fluid.

• Hydrogen codes and standards should be followed to ensure safety

while handling liquid hydrogen.
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Helium
• Helium is an inert gas and exists in monatomic state

• Helium exists in two isotopes.

He4 = 2 electrons, 2 protons + 2 neutrons.
He3 = 2 electrons, 2 protons + 1 neutrons
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Helium:
• The low viscosity and high thermal conductivity of Liquid Helium makes
the system more efficient.

• Helium being a thin and inert gas, is used in leak detection systems

• It is used as a shielding gas in arc welding to provide an inert

atmosphere

• It is mostly used in Dilution refrigerators to achieve low temperatures.

• It is also used as working fluid in Cryocoolers. Temperature close to 1 K

are reported with Pulse Tube Cryocooler.

• The properties of liquid helium are of interest in relation to the theories

of quantum statistical mechanics
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Nitrogen (LN2)
• Boils at 77.36 K and freezes at 63.2 K.

• Resembles water in appearance - 807 kg/m3

• Exists in 2 stable isotopes - N14 & N15 in ratio of 10000 : 38

• Heat of vaporization is 199.3kJ (water 2257kJ/kg) and it is produced by

distillation of liquid air

• Nitrogen is primarily used to provide an inert atmosphere in chemical

and metallurgical industries.

• It is also used as a liquid to provide refrigeration. Also, used in food

preservation, blood, cells preservation.

• High temperature superconductivity

Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Oxygen (LO2)
• Blue in colour – due to long chains of O4

• Boils at 90.18 K and freezes at 54.4 K

• Has a density of 1141kg/m3

• O2 is slightly magnetic and exists in 3 stable isotopes - O16, O17, O18

in ratio of (10000 : 4 :20)

• Because of the unique properties of oxygen, there is no substitute for

oxygen in any of its uses – widely used in industries and for medical
purpose

• It is largely used in iron and steel manufacturing industry

• Oxidizer propellant for spacecraft rocket applications.

Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Argon
• It is a colourless, inert and non toxic gas

• It boils at 87.3 K and freezes at 83.8 K. It has a density of 1394 kg/m3

• Exists in 3 stable isotopes – Ar35, Ar38, Ar40 and in a ratio of (338 : 63

: 100000)

• The property of inertness of argon is used to purge moulds in casting

industry

• It is used in Argon-oxygen decarburization (AOD) process in stainless

steel industry

• It offers inert atmosphere for welding stainless steel, aluminium,

titanium etc.
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Air
• For practical purpose, it is considered as a mixture of 78% N2 + 21 %
O2 + 1 % Ar + others

• It has a boiling point of 78.9 K and 874 kg/m3 as density

• Liquid air was earlier used as pre coolant for low temperature
applications

• Liquid air is primarily used in production of pure nitrogen, oxygen, and

rare gases
Cryogenic fluids
Liquid Neon
• It is a clear, colourless liquid with boiling point at 27.1 K

• Neon is commonly used in neon advertising.• Neon is commonly used

in neon advertising

• Liquid neon is commercially used as cryogenic refrigerant

• It is compact, inert and less expensive as compared to liquid helium

Liquid Methane
• It boils at 111.7 K

• It can be used as rocket fuel

• In the form of Compressed natural gas (CNG)

Safety with cryogenics:
Some of the most common hazards, that are encountered in a cryogenic
environment are
1. Extreme Cold or Low Temperature Hazard

2. Oxygen Deficiency Hazard – Asphyxiation

3. Oxygen Enrichment Hazard

4. Fire Hazard

5. Explosion

6. Material Embrittlement
Safety with cryogenics:
• It is necessary and imperative to use the personal protective equipment
while handling cryogens. These include

• Goggles: Eye protection must be used, whenever handling or

transferring cryogens. Face shield and safety goggles should be used.

• Gloves: Hands are to be protected with appropriate gloves. These

should be designed to prevent cryogens from flowing into the glove.

• Safety Shoes: It is mandatory to use high top shoes, while handling

liquid cryogens

• Overalls: Lab coats or disposable overalls should be used. They

provide a complete coverage of skin. All parts of the body must be
protected from non – insulated pipes or vessels.
Safety with cryogenics:
• The new entrants and staff should be trained with implementation of
standard operating procedures, safety measures and possible hazards

• Only trained and qualified personnel are allowed to handle, transport or

store liquefied gases

• Overfilling of cryogenic containers is to be avoided

• Apart from this, slow pouring or transferring of cryogen is preferred. It

minimizes boiling and splashing

• All system vents must be directed away from personnel or designated

work areas.

• Oxygen detectors, relief valves, bursting discs are used to avoid

accidents