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Liquid Air Energy Storage: How Cryogenics Can Support a Greener Grid

The LAES system charges using an industrial air liquefier based on the Claude cycle used on the front end of existing air separation units. Electricity from the grid is used to produce liquid air at close to ambient pressure, thus avoiding the excessive cost of containing a high-pressure fluid in...

VNR Advances New Process to Ensure Reliability of Space-Flight-Critical Fasteners

In October 1989, while investigating the crash landing of United Flight 232 in Sioux City, the NTSB located the fan disk from the plane’s number two engine in a cornfield near Alta, Iowa. It was in two pieces, ripped apart, the agency later determined, when an undetected metallurgical defect resulted...

Chart Acquires VCT Vogel

On September 1, Chart Industries, Inc. (CSA CSM) announced its acquisition of VCT Vogel GmbH, a German firm servicing cryogenic and other mobile gas tank equipment and trucks. Founded in 2001, VCT has established itself as a provider of truck-mounted drive and control systems for the operation of cryogenic pumps...

New Director General at ESO

Xavier Barcons became the eighth director general of the European Southern Observatory on September 1, succeeding Tim de Zeeuw who had served since 2007. Barcons begins his tenure at an exciting time for ESO, as construction of its Extremely Large Telescope is progressing and it is set to see first...

New Report Buffers Possibility for Molecular Level Data Storage

New research from the University of Manchester (UK) suggests that storing data with a class of molecules known as single-molecule magnets is more feasible than previously thought. The result, published in Nature, shows that magnetic hysteresis, a memory effect that is a prerequisite of any data storage, is possible in...

Brooks Automation Expands Stored Sample Monitoring

Brooks Automation, Inc. (CSA CSM) has acquired FreezerPro® and other assets from RURO, Inc., a Maryland-based developer of computer software for research, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, healthcare and government laboratories. The software enables web-based access to information on stored samples from any location on any device.

Latest in Defining Cryogenics

Transfer Lines

Transfer lines may in some real sense be thought of as the cryogenic fluid analogy of current leads. While current leads carry electrical power to where it’s required in a cryogenic system, transfer lines do the same with cryogenic fluids. Transfer lines range in complexity from very simple U-tubes containing...

Zero Boiloff

Zero Boil Off cryostats are those that contain liquid cryogens but are designed to eliminate or vastly reduce the boil off of the liquid. These cryostats combine some of the advantages of Cryogen-Free systems (e.g. ease of use and long operational lifetime) with the advantages associated with a reservoir of liquid...

Cryomodule

Cryomodule is a term that is most commonly used to refer to cryostats that contain superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities. Such cavities are used to accelerate charged particle beams and are a major component of modern particle accelerators. Using the term cryomodule to refer to cryostats containing SRF cavities appears...

Latest in Cryo Central

Air Separation and Liquefaction

by Nils Tellier, PE, President, EPSIM Corporation (CSA CSM) nils@epsim.us All illustrations courtesy EPSIM Corporation Background History of Air Separation and Liquefaction This section builds on a rich history of methods to develop deep refrigeration and cryogenic liquefaction during the 19th Century. You are encouraged to read Cryo Central’s History...

Bose-Einstein Condensate

A Bose-Einstein condensate, first proposed in 1925 by Albert Einstein based on work done by Satyendra Nath Bose (the same Bose from whom the term boson is derived), is a super-cold state of matter in which almost all of the individual atoms have “condensed” down to the lowest possible quantum...

Cold Technology for Pest Control

While it does not reach temperatures cold enough to be called cryogenic, carbon dioxide snow is at the heart of a new way of dealing with unwanted pests. It utilizes a quick freezing process that takes advantage of the properties of carbon dioxide snow and has a number of benefits...

Cryogenic Finishing

The following 3 articles discuss the uses and procedures of various type of cryogenic finishing. 1) By Robin A. Rhodes, Cryogenic Institute of New England, Inc. rrhodes@nitrofreeze.com Cryogenic Deflashing is employed to remove undesired residual mold flash that remains on molded parts after they are removed or ejected from the...

Latest in Ask the Experts

Seeking technical publication that explains the science behind the cryogenic treatment of aluminum

Would you know of a technical publication that would list the benefits and explain the science behind the cryogenic treatment of aluminum, specifically a 356-T6 aluminum cylinder head casting? Eddie Phillips

Source of emissivity data for aluminum and aluminized Mylar at room temperature, 77K and 4.2K

Can anyone recommend a source of emissivity data for aluminum and aluminized Mylar at room temperature, 77K and 4.2K? Also, I would be interested in finding a facility that can measure this information. Any information will be greatly appreciated. William Einziger, GE Healthcare

Looking to purchase new LN2 freezer: any suggestions?

I will be purchasing a new liquid nitrogen freezer soon, but I am limited by space restrictions. The freezer cannot be more than 38 inches wide. However, it would be beneficial if the freezer holds a high number of racks such as 24. In addition, we prefer not to purchase...

Affordable flow meter to measure LN2 flow through a pipeline

I am trying to find out if anyone knows of or has used an affordable flow meter that can measure liquid nitrogen flow through a pipeline. It doesn’t need to be very accurate as it’s really to allow people in different departments to allocate cost rather than for scientific measurement....

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