Refurbished vs As-Is Cryogenic Equipment: What the Grades Mean
Learn what refurbished cryogenic tank grades mean: as-is, certified operational, standard and premium refurbished, and how to read a listing.
5 min read
A refurbished cryogenic tank has been inspected, tested, and repaired to a defined standard, while an as-is unit is sold in its current condition with no verification. Between those two extremes, listings use grades such as certified operational, standard refurbished, and premium refurbished. Each grade includes a different level of testing and warranty. This guide explains how to read them.
The grade is really a statement about how much risk the seller has removed and how much the buyer still carries. As-is puts the burden of verification on you. Certified refurbished shifts it to documented tests and a written warranty. Knowing which is which stops you from comparing two very different products on price alone.
The terms below are common market language rather than a single official scale, so always confirm what a specific seller includes at each grade.
What is the difference between refurbished and as-is cryogenic equipment?
As-is means the equipment is sold in its present state with no inspection, testing, or warranty implied. The buyer accepts whatever condition the unit is in. Refurbished means the equipment has been assessed and brought back to a working standard through inspection, testing, and repair, with the level of work defined by the grade.
For a cryogenic vessel, the difference is significant because condition is not visible from the outside. A double-walled tank can look intact while its vacuum has degraded or a weld carries a flaw. Verification is the only way to know, which is why the grade you buy determines how much you can rely on.
What does an as-is cryogenic tank actually include?
An as-is unit typically comes with little more than the physical equipment. There may be no recent vacuum reading, no NDT, no pressure test, and no warranty.
- No documented inspection or test results as standard.
- No warranty, so the buyer carries the full risk of the unit's condition.
- Possibly incomplete or missing certification papers.
- The lowest headline price, offset by the cost and risk of verifying the unit yourself.
As-is can suit a buyer who has the expertise to inspect, test, and recertify a tank themselves. For most buyers it means taking on the very work that certification exists to handle.
What is a certified operational grade?
A certified operational unit has been confirmed to work and to hold pressure and vacuum, but may have had limited cosmetic or component renewal. It sits above as-is because its core function has been verified.
- A vacuum measurement confirming the insulation is intact.
- A pressure test confirming the vessel holds its rated pressure.
- Basic inspection of valves and safety devices.
- Some documentation, though the depth of the file varies by seller.
What does standard refurbished mean?
A standard refurbished cryogenic tank has been through a fuller process: inspection, non-destructive testing, and vacuum and pressure testing, with worn safety devices overhauled or replaced. NDT inspects the pressure-bearing welds and shell for flaws without cutting into the vessel.
- Visual inspection and NDT on the inner vessel.
- Vacuum test, with re-evacuation where the vacuum has degraded.
- Pressure test to the vessel's rated pressure.
- Overhaul or replacement of relief valves and worn fittings.
- A document dossier and a written warranty.
What does premium refurbished add?
A premium refurbished unit builds on the standard grade with more extensive renewal, so it is closer to new in condition and appearance. The testing base is the same, and the addition is the scope of restoration.
- The full standard-refurbished testing set: inspection, NDT, vacuum, and pressure test.
- More extensive component renewal, such as replaced valves, instruments, and external finish.
- Restored insulation performance with a verified vacuum.
- A complete document dossier and written warranty.
How do you read a used cryogenic equipment listing correctly?
Because grade names are not standardized, judge a listing by what it includes rather than the label. Ask the same questions of every unit so you compare like with like.
- Which tests were done: inspection, NDT, vacuum, and pressure test, and can you see the results?
- Is there a written warranty, and what does it cover?
- Is the certification code, PED 2014/68/EU or ASME, correct for your market?
- For transportable units, is EN 13530 conformity and ADR validity in place?
- What was renewed or repaired, and what remains original?
A modern stationary cryogenic tank in good condition loses roughly 0.2 to 0.6 percent of its contents per day, so a stated or verified boil-off figure is a useful cross-check on any grade.
Which grade does KAF supply?
KAF Cryogenics supplies used equipment through its certified second-hand channel, in which each unit is inspected, NDT tested, and vacuum and pressure tested, then sold with a document dossier and a written warranty. This aligns with the standard and premium refurbished descriptions above rather than as-is.
Because certified units are held in stock, delivery is typically measured in weeks, while new fabrication to specification takes months. KAF also buys used equipment and accepts trade-in on new orders, returning units into the same certification process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does as-is mean for a cryogenic tank?
As-is means the tank is sold in its current condition with no inspection, testing, or warranty implied. The buyer accepts whatever state the unit is in and takes on the cost and risk of verifying and recertifying it. It suits only buyers with the expertise to do that work.
Is refurbished the same as certified?
Not always. Refurbished describes work done to restore a unit, and the depth varies by grade. Certified means the unit comes with documented test results and a written warranty. A standard or premium refurbished tank should be certified, but always confirm the tests and warranty a specific seller includes.
Are these grade names official?
No. As-is, certified operational, standard refurbished, and premium refurbished are common market terms rather than a single official scale. Judge a listing by the specific tests, documentation, and warranty it includes, not by the label alone.
What tests should a properly refurbished tank have?
Visual inspection, non-destructive testing of the inner vessel, a vacuum test with re-evacuation where needed, and a pressure test to the vessel's rated pressure. Worn relief valves and fittings should be overhauled or replaced, and the results supplied in a document dossier.
How do I compare an as-is unit with a refurbished one on price?
Add the cost of the verification and repair the as-is unit still needs to its headline price before comparing. A refurbished unit already includes inspection, NDT, vacuum and pressure testing, and a warranty, so the two are not comparable on purchase price alone.
Which grade does KAF Cryogenics supply?
KAF supplies used equipment through a certified second-hand channel, with each unit inspected, NDT tested, and vacuum and pressure tested, then sold with a document dossier and written warranty. This corresponds to the standard and premium refurbished descriptions rather than as-is.
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Know exactly what grade you are buying
KAF Cryogenics supplies certified second-hand equipment with documented inspection, NDT, and vacuum and pressure test results plus a written warranty. Tell us what you need and we will match a certified unit from stock or quote a new build.
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