Phase Separators › KRYTEM Cryogenic Systems

Liquid nitrogen is used as a cost effective coolant for industrial applications. However, the temperature and pressure conditions inside the liquid storage vessel often deviate significantly from the required interface conditions at the supplied production process. This applies especially if the storage vessel is additionally utilised for the supply of gas to other processes.

The operating pressure of production machines and large size cryogenic storage facility is usually close to ambient pressure and thus much lower than the storage pressure of the liquid inside the tank. When the supply valve opens the saturated liquid is suddenly de-pressurised instantly forming a vast amount of cold vapour (flash gas).

Therefore, such supply systems usually feature a phase separator which facilitates the controlled removal of vapour or gas from the pressurised liquid upstream the process supply valve.

Two standard phase separator concepts are available:

• GAF – constant pressure design with float valve or steady pneumatic control valve:
  the liquid is kept under tank pressure but the gas fraction is removed from the supplied liquid;
  typical applications: intermediate de-gassing of cryogenic supply systems, de-gassing of cryogenic pump inlet installations
• GAP – controlled pressure reduction vessels with gas pressure control (between ambient pressure and tank pressure) and a fill level control (mechanical or electronic control): the liquid is collected in an intermediate vessel with a gas pressure control and flash gas is removed through the exhaust gas connection,  liquid is decanted / drained from the bottom of the vessel to the supplied applications.
  Typical applications: Filling of cryogenic biological storage systems or pressure-less process supplies such as cryogenic shrink-fit mounting systems

Design features

• vacuum-insulated vessel of horizontal or vertical design
• top-mounted exhaust gas / vent connection
• liquid inlet and outlet connections located at the bottom (vertical version) or on the side (horizontal version)
• non-insulated connections with welded ends or metal sealed threaded connections (flanged connections are feasible, if requested), alternatively vacuum-insulated Johnston-type or welded couplings

Technical Data