The Wonders of Cryogenic Technology and the Importance of Quality Extreme Temperature Hoses

Extreme temperature, high pressure hoses do the jobs that rubber or plastic hosing cannot do. Take cryogenics for example. Cryogenics involves the transport of supercooled materials (cryogens) like liquid nitrogen to and from components. Because liquid nitrogen is stored at such cold temperatures, only the highest quality of corrugated metal hoses will do with regard to the transport process.

If you use cryogenics, you never want to skimp on your hoses. To understand why, it helps to fully-comprehend the mechanics behind cryogenics and how these extreme temperature methods assist professionals in a range of fields.

What is Cryogenic Technology?

Cryogenic technology or simply cryogenics is a branch of physics that deals with both the production and effects of extremely low temperatures. We see cryogenics used in a variety of industries, particularly in the field of science. Cryogenics is used in the creation of the Large Hadron Collider, and India is currently using cryogenic technology as part of their race into outer space.

CERN uses electrocharged magnets to send particles on a race through the LHC at supersonic speeds. All those magnets generate elevated heat levels, which must be cooled quickly. India needs to keep the rockets cool when accelerant begins to heat the equipment to ultra-high levels during a test or launch. Cryogenics makes this instant cooling possible.

Here’s how it works.

Cryogenics is the process of cooling, and cooling is simply the process of taking heat away. Imagine a fire ignites on your stove. You reach for a pan to put the fire out. Once the fire is out, you hold the pan over the sink and pour a cup of water inside. Your intention is to cool the pan off. Notice, however, that the water instantly begins to bubble and boil. While the water is cooling the pan off, heat is transferring to the water, which begins to vaporize or boil.

Even as the boiling ceases, the pan is still too hot to touch. Over the span of a few minutes, the pan and water will become room temperature.

The reason this happens is, when you put water into the pan to cool it off, the heat started transferring from the pan to the water. The water absorbed the heat and that caused the liquid to instantly boil. As more heat transferred from the pan, instead of heating up, the water boiled, and that act (of vaporizing the water) absorbed the newly transferred heat. The fact is, the heat that was absorbed by the boiling process was greater than the heat absorbed by the water (which caused it to boil).

When the pan finally cooled off, adding more water would only cool the pan a tiny amount as the leftover heat was diluted in more water.

The most significant amount of cooling was done when the water was boiling or being vaporized.

Cryogenics not only focuses on cooling materials down, but it also homes in on the act of vaporization.

Cryogenics and Vaporization

Every liquid requires immense heat energy to vaporize (become a gas). When a liquid vaporizes, it absorbs heat while doing so. That means that the temperature at which a liquid boils is affected by its pressure. Because the vaporization temperature of each liquid is determined by its pressure, we can prevent the liquid from vaporizing by boosting the pressure. Conversely, we can make the liquid vaporize by lowering its pressure.

Manufacturers and Cryogenics

Manufacturers use cryogenics either inside a temperature chamber or thermal platform. The manufacturer will bring a pressurized liquid inside (usually liquid Carbon Dioxide or liquid Nitrogen), whereby the delivery system will automatically decrease the liquid’s pressure by passing it through a throttling device. When done precisely, the liquid will evaporate the moment the pressure is reduced, thus absorbing the heat that cryogenics was intended to take away.

The system then moves the vapor, which contains the unwanted heat, and wafts it out of the chamber or platform. By continuing this process, the chamber or platform will continually cool, allowing for normal operation.

Cryogenic Cooling is Ideal for Many Reasons

There are immense benefits to using cryogenic cooling in the manufacturing process. Cryogenic liquids are eco-friendly, non-flammable, and non-poisonous. Liquid carbon dioxide is so safe that we exhale it with every breath. Even if you use nitrogen, you’re using a component that makes up nearly 80% of our atmosphere. This means the materials and systems are safe, much safer than driving to work. However, there are some things you should consider when using cryogenic cooling.

Cryogenic coolants are extremely cold and under immense pressure. This means the use of proper hoses used for cryogenic materials is essential for both operational purposes and safety.

When considering cryogenics, look for a hose manufacturer that offers high-quality corrugated hoses that can stand up to extreme levels of temperature and pressure. If only there was one of those manufacturers nearby.

Flexible Metal Hoses for Safer and More Efficient Cryogenics

Flex-Fit Hose just so happens to offer flexible corrugated metal hoses for all types of metal hose assemblies. We offer a full line of stainless-steel flexible hoses, braided chemical hoses, as well as all related components like nuts and ferrules. These lined corrugated stainless-steel hoses are designed for extreme temperatures, such as cryogenics up to 1500° F!

The hoses are designed to stand up to immense pressure, including full vacuum environments. Each high-pressure hose meets or exceeds ISO 10380 at maximum working pressure.

When you use cryogenics in your manufacturing process, you want to know that the hoses you use can stand up to the temperature and pressure. Give yourself peace of mind and ensure safer and more efficient operations by choosing Flex-Fit Hose for all your cryogenic hose needs. Call (410) 327-0758 in and around Baltimore, Maryland, to learn more and receive a free quote.

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