Please note that applications are listed
in alphabetical order. Please click on the title of interest. If you
think a title is missing and should be included, or an item is incorrect
or could be expanded, please ‘contact us’
and let us know.
Artificial Insemination: The frozen storage of semen and embryos
for later use in fertilisation procedures offers many opportunities
for medical and vetinerary science. Typically for livestock improvement
programmes in agriculture worldwide, liquid nitrogen is used as the
ideal refrigerant. Liquid nitrogen is inert, reliable and relatively
inexpensive. For human fertility treatments, similar equipment and procedures
are used. Statebourne manufactures a complete range of containers serving
this industry from field flasks (bio series)
for farmers, to bulk automatic liquid nitrogen refrigerators (Biosystem
series) for hospitals and semen distribution centres and even transport
tanks (Transportable tanks) for
delivering liquid nitrogen over distances by road. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Astronomy: Liquid
nitrogen is often found in centres of this discipline. Stored liquid
nitrogen is used as a source for clean dry gas which is produced by
evaporation to provide a steady flow of vapour over optical surfaces.
The purpose of this application is to avoid the collection of dust or
condensation on highly polished lenses or reflectors. Laboratory type
low pressure storage vessels (Cryostor)
are most commonly used. Liquid nitrogen is also used as a source of
refrigeration to cool detectors to improve performance and reduce ‘noise’.
Statebourne’s ‘Cryostor’ container vessels are frequently
used. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Aviation/Aerospace:
A wide variety of applications are employed in this industry. Low temperature
nitrogen gas is ideal for both electronic and mechanical component and
systems testing simulating operational conditions. Either argon gas
or nitrogen is used to inert atmospheres in special critical heat treatment
routines for jet engine turbine blades in production and re-conditioning
(Cryostor)(Static
Storage Tanks), and some finely toleranced bearing metal components
are positioned using ‘shrink fitting’ techniques (Open
Dewars). In opperational use, aircraft tyres are filled with nitrogen(not
compressed air) and in military aircraft, nitrogen gas is used to inert
the space over the fuel in the tanks. Additionally, liquid oxygen is
stored on board as a low weight source of breathing gas for the pilot.
In all these cases, Statebourne cryogenic vessels will be employed in
support to store the liquid gases (Special
products). ‘BACK TO TOP’
Back Up Refrigeration: Where ultra low temperature (ULT) mechanical
refrigerators are used to store biological specimens there is always
a risk of mechanical breakdown and a quick rise in temperature. Repairs
cannot necessarily be accomplished quickly and a stand-by or ‘back
up’ reserve of refrigeration power is needed (Cryostor).
Liquid nitrogen provides the solution and in cases where a rise in temperature
would prejudice the viability of the stored material, Statebourne ‘Cryostor’
containers will be found doing the job. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Balloons and Airships: Helium gas is used often in very large
volumes for filling balloons and airships. To accomplish the filling
operation from cylinders of compressed gas would be a logistical nightmare,
so it is more common for helium gas to be transported to site liquefied
at around -269°C in special cryogenic containers (Helistor
Dewars). At very low pressures the liquid is decanted and immediately
vapourises when it is directed into the bouyancy chamber. Statebourne
manufacture liquid helium containers for static and transport applications
to the latest TPED European Transport Regulations. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Biological Sciences: An enourmous field of activities is covered
by this subject, mostly carried on at Universities, Hospitals and Pharmaceutical
or Research companies. Liquid nitrogen is found stored in nearly all
of these places where it is mainly used as a refrigerant for the storage
of biological specimens. Specimens range from cell cultures, blood,
tissue, to vaccines. Special refrigerators (Biosystem)
electronically conrolled maintain the level of liquid nitrogen within
close bands in the storage compartment to provide a precise temperature
environment. Another use for stored cryogenic liquid nitrogen or carbon
dioxide is for inerting atmospheres in controlled conditions (Cryostor)(Static Storage Tanks), typically
incubators and fermenting processes. Statebourne manufactures the ‘Biosystem’
range of liquid nitrogen refrigerators, the ‘Cryostor’ liquid
nitrogen storage container and a full range of support and safety equipment
for the Biological Sciences laboratory including the ‘Bio’
range of refrigerators for storage of smaller quantities of specimens.
‘BACK TO TOP’
Blood Banking: Normally, for the more common groups of blood,
storage is maintained at about 2°C to 4°C in conventional refrigerators
which give it a limited ‘shelf life’. For the rarer types
which are not so readily replaceable, blood is stored at very low temperatures,
typically -165°C or below in liquid nitrogen cooled refrigerators
(Biosystem). The blood is collected
in special bags and then frozen at a controlled rate protected in a
metal wallet or cassette to prevent damage when frozen. Once frozen
the cassette is placed in a racking storage system in the cold nitrogen
vapour inside the refrigerator. It is important that the liquid nitrogen
at the bottom of the inside compartment does not come into contact with
the frozen blood to avoid any risk of cross contamination. Special systems
to avoid this possibility should be incorporated in the designs. Statebourne’s
products take all of these essential requirements into account with
the ‘Biosystem’ range of liquid nitrogen refrigerators. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Chromatography: This is a technique of separating and analysing
the components of a mixture of liquids or gases using a special instrument.
Nitrogen gas, due to it’s properties is used as a control in the
process and gas generated by boiling liquid provides a particularly
high purity, which is essential. The provision of this gas is best made
by the use of a ‘Cryostor’ liquid nitrogen container manufactured
by Statebourne which has built in the capability of vapourising the
liquid and providing the required controlled steady flow. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Cryo-Branding: The marking of animals, usually cattle, for
identification is often preferred by this method. Typically a branding
iron with the required mark is cooled to around -96°C by immersion
in Isopropanol which has been chilled using liquid nitrogen. Statebourne
‘Open Dewars’ and ‘Cryostor’ vessels are used
in the process. By ‘cold burning’ a mark on the animals
skin in this way, less risk of subsequent infection and quicker healing
times are said to be achieved. This practice has to some extent been
replaced in more recent years by electronic ‘chipping’ or
‘tagging’. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Dermatology: A branch of medicine dealing with skin, Dermatology
uses ‘Cryotherapy’ as a means of removing and curing skin
lesions such as warts and verrucas. The practice involves treating the
affected area with liquid nitrogen cooled tips or jets of liquid aimed
through a very fine spray head effectively destroying the rogue cells.
These fall away in time and are replaced by normal cell growth in the
healing process. Usually successful, the technique has found favour
with many GP’s and Hospital out-patient departments. Equipment
for the storage and handling of liquid nitrogen in dermatological practice
is available from Statebourne. (Cryolab
series) and (Open Dewars). ‘BACK TO TOP’
Drinks Production and Dispensing: Both the production and dispensing
of drinks require the use of carbon dioxide or nitrogen or a mixture
of these gases. The brewing industry uses inert gas to ‘blanket’
the liquid in the vats during production. The hospitality trade (pubs,
retaurants, burger bars etc,) use considerable volumes of nitrogen and
carbon dioxide to power the delivery of drinks and control the look,
taste and feel of the product. Traditionally served by cylinders of
compressed gases, drinks retail establishments are increasingly switching
over to the storage of gases in the liquid cryogenic state (Cryocyl).
The storage tank stays in place and is filled routinely by the gas supply
company; there are no more heavy cylinders to change over and manhandle
and no risks of leaks through frequently changed connections. Statebourne’s
production for this growing market is increasing year on year. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Electronics: An industry that depends heavily on the use of
both gaseous and liquid nitrogen, electronics production relies on cheap
quality control techniques for it’s mass production systems. Extreme
cold provided by liquid nitrogen is used to ‘shock’ test
assemblies to ensure there are no electrical connection faults and inert
atmospheres provided by nitrogen gas ensure no contamination by dirt
or oxidisation during the manufacturing process where cleanliness is
vital. Storage tanks for liquid nitrogen and other cryogenic gases are
manufactured and supplied by Statebourne.(Cryostor)
(Cryocyl) (Static Storage Tanks) ‘BACK TO TOP’
Firefighting: For stubborn fires possibly electrically or chemically
fueled, special foams has been found to be effective. Foam using nitrogen
in place of air for it’s generation has been found to be even
more effective. Liquid nitrogen carried in a pressure vessel with vapourisers
for converting the liquid to gas can provide the power for mixing and
firing the foam. (Cryocyl) (Transportable
Tanks). Cryocyl Transportable Tanks will maintain their pressure
automatically and deliver up to 25Nm3/hr of nitrogen gas without additional
vapourisers. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Food Freezing: The mass production of frozen food (chicken,Prawns,
Beefburgers etc..,) relies on large volumes of liquid nitrogen being
sprayed on the item concerned while it travels along a stainless steel
mesh conveyor belt in a specially constructed tunnel. The speed of the
conveyor belt and the flow of the liquid nitrogen refrigerant are the
two main controls as well as the control of the uniformity of the size
of the items being frozen. For large scale industrial food producers,
this method is the most preferered for reasons of economy and because
the flavour is ‘locked’ into the product by the quick freezing
process. It is not unusual for process lines to consume tons of liquid
nitrogen per day. Statebourne is able to supply specialist storage tanks
and vacuum insulated pipeline systems for this process. (Static
Storage Tanks) (Installation Service) ‘BACK TO TOP’
Food Packaging: Food packaging processes nearly all involve
the provision of nitrogen, carbon dioxide or in some cases special mixtures
of gases, at the time of the final closure of the package. There are
several reasons for this, amongst which are the improvement of flavour,
the extension of shelf life and colouring control. Generally the exclusion
of oxygen within the sealed package delays the deterioration of the
product (typically nuts, crisps etc,..). As with any process consuming
large volumes, gases are most economically and conveniently stored in
their liquefied state. Cryogenic Static Storage Tanks and Cryostor vessels
supplied by Statebourne are available in sizes to suit all scales of
operation. ‘BACK TO TOP’
Freeze Drying: By subjecting food (typically coffee, soups,
stews, military rations etc,) to a vacuum, moisture is withdrawn and
the food becomes light and dry. Properly packaged the food can be stored
over long periods until it is needed when water is added. However, during
the process of production most of the flavour is drawn off with the
moisture and oils when the product is under vacuum. To rectify this,
the oils containing the flavour are trapped in a cryogenic ‘cold
trap’ and later re-introduced to the product moments before the
final closure during packaging. The ‘cold trap’ is a part
of the vacuum system’s pipe line along which the drawn off gases
must pass and which is cooled by liquid nitrogen. Cryostor vessels or
larger Static Storage Tanks made by Statebourne are used to store the
liquid nitrogen. The very cold walls on the inside of the pipe cause
the vapours containing the flavour to condense and freeze, trapping
them for later recovery. Statebourne can also manufacture cold traps
to customer’s own special designs as well as automatic liquid
transfer systems. ‘BACK TO TOP’
