KAFCRYOGENICS
Cryogenic and Liquefied Gas Equipment Questions

Cryogenic and Liquefied Gas Equipment Questions

Answers to common questions about cryogenic storage tanks, semi-trailers, LNG systems, LPG equipment, ambient air vaporizers, pressure vessels and equipment services. Select the equipment category to review configurations, documentation and information needed for an inquiry.

Cryogenic Storage Tanks for LIN / LOX / LAR

Which configurations are available for LIN, LOX, LAR tanks?

The range includes vertical and horizontal stationary tanks as well as transportable equipment. The final configuration is selected according to the medium, required capacity, pressure, site arrangement and transport requirements. Each tank is a double-walled, vacuum-insulated pressure vessel with an austenitic stainless steel inner vessel and a carbon steel outer jacket, insulated with perlite or super insulation in the vacuum space. Cold-stretched inner vessels are used on medium- and high-pressure models.

Which design codes and standards apply?

Stationary tanks are designed to EN 13458 and, where required ASME Section VIII Division 1, in compliance with the EU Pressure Equipment Directive (2014/68/EU). Transportable equipment is designed to EN 13530, with ADR/TPED compliance applied for road transport.

How is the equipment prepared for oxygen service?

Inner vessels intended for LOX service are cleaned and prepared in accordance with EN 12300 to remove hydrocarbon residues prior to commissioning.

What valves and instrumentation are fitted as standard?

Each tank is fitted with a flow-diverter valve and dual pressure relief valves as standard, with provisions for level and pressure transmitters and remote telemetry where specified.

What capacities and pressure ratings are available?

Stationary LIN, LOX and LAR storage capacities extend up to 1,000 m³, with MAWP options from 3 to 37 bar across the range. Transportable nominal capacities are 5–35 m³ for LIN, 5–25 m³ for LOX and 5–20 m³ for LAR. Capacity and pressure are confirmed together for the selected model.

How is the equipment optimized for the stored or transported medium?

The medium is defined at the specification stage and the tank configuration, pressure rating, insulation arrangement and connections are selected accordingly.

Are transport and ISO container options available?

Yes. Model-specific ISO container configurations can be provided for road, rail or sea transport, with vacuum-jacketed piping and cryogenic valves fitted to minimize in-transit boil-off. ADR/TPED compliance is applied to transport configurations where required.

What information should be provided for a quotation?

The main starting points are the medium, required capacity, MAWP or operating pressure, stationary or transportable requirement, preferred orientation, oxygen-service requirement where applicable, and destination or applicable project standard.

View equipment details

LCO2 Storage Tanks

What is the difference between vacuum-insulated and PIR / PUR-insulated LCO2 tanks?

Vacuum-insulated tanks use an insulated vacuum space, while PIR / PUR-insulated tanks use polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foam protected by weatherproof cladding. Thermal performance, pressure control, maintenance and site conditions guide selection for the storage duty.

When is refrigeration needed for LCO2 tanks?

Refrigeration can be specified where the thermal load and operating cycle require it for liquid CO2 pressure control. The need is assessed for the specific equipment; it is not a universal requirement for every tank or road transport duty.

What storage capacities and pressure ratings are available?

Standard and custom storage capacities are available up to 400 m³, with MAWP options up to 24 bar. The final capacity and pressure rating are selected for the specific project.

Are both carbon steel and stainless steel inner vessels available?

Yes. Carbon steel and stainless steel inner vessel options are available, subject to the required equipment configuration and project specification.

What transport configurations are available?

The range includes LCO2 semi-trailers, truck-mounted tankers and model-specific ISO container options. Vacuum-insulated and PIR / PUR-insulated transport configurations can be considered.

Can pumps, flowmeters and telemetry be included?

Yes. Pump packages, flowmeters, instrumentation and telemetry can be incorporated as project options, including a pressure-building vaporizer where withdrawal pressure needs to be maintained.

View equipment details

LNG Satellite Plants

What does an LNG solution include?

Depending on the project, the scope can include vacuum-insulated storage tanks, semi-trailers, ISO tank containers, transfer equipment and regasification equipment for satellite plant or virtual pipeline applications.

What storage configurations are available?

Vertical and horizontal vacuum-insulated pressure vessels are available, with a stainless steel inner vessel and perlite insulation. Capacity, pressure and connection arrangements are selected according to project requirements.

What MAWP range is available for LNG equipment?

Stationary LNG storage MAWP options in the stated equipment range are 5–10 bar. The final tank rating is confirmed for the selected model. semi-trailer pressure ratings are specified separately from the approved transport design and datasheet.

How is boil-off gas managed?

An economizer can direct tank vapor into the downstream gas supply when pressure and demand permit. It does not guarantee zero venting during extended idle periods; pressure relief and shutdown conditions require review.

What safety devices are fitted as standard?

Each tank is fitted with dual pressure relief valves and rupture discs via a diverter valve as standard.

Can storage and regasification be supplied as one project scope?

Yes. LNG solutions can combine storage, transfer and regasification equipment, particularly for satellite plants and virtual pipeline applications. The exact scope is defined from the project requirements.

What transport capacities are available?

Standard LNG semi-trailer capacities include 50, 52 and 56 m³. Model-specific ISO container options are also available.

View equipment details

LPG Storage Tanks

What stationary LPG tank configurations are available?

Aboveground and underground storage tank options are available, together with domestic, autogas and skid tank configurations. The arrangement is selected according to the application and site requirements.

Which design codes and standards apply?

EN 12542 applies within its scope to the specified static cylindrical LPG vessels up to 13 m³. Other or larger vessel requirements are reviewed under EN 13445 or another agreed code, together with applicable regulations.

What capacities are available for stationary LPG tanks?

Industrial stationary capacities range from 5 to 200 m³; small storage models range from 500 litres to 10 m³. Availability is confirmed for the installation type and selected model.

What capacities are available for transportable LPG equipment?

Standard LPG semi-trailer nominal capacities are 45, 47, 48.5, 50, 55, 57, 62.2 and 65 m³. Bobtail tankers are configured separately for the project.

How is the equipment protected against corrosion?

Tanks are sand-blasted and coated with a primer, undercoat and top-coat system, with the specification selected according to aboveground or underground/buried installation.

What quality checks are applied?

Material, welding, non-destructive examination, pressure testing and connection leak tests are defined by the selected code, approved design and inspection plan. The actual methods and records are confirmed for the equipment being supplied.

Can piping and equipment layouts be customized?

Yes. Project-specific piping and equipment layouts are part of the available scope and are defined according to the installation requirements.

Which applications are covered?

The range supports LPG storage, transportation and distribution for domestic, commercial, autogas, industrial and related applications.

View equipment details

Pressure Vessels

What types of pressure vessels are available?

The range includes process vessels, air and gas receivers, refrigerant tanks, API storage tanks, spherical tanks and custom-designed vessels.

Which design code applies to which vessel type?

Code selection follows the equipment type, design conditions and destination. ASME Section VIII or EN 13445 may apply to pressure vessels; API 650 or API 620 addresses separate storage tank duties. Confirm the code for the specific vessel.

Can pressure vessels be designed for project-specific capacities and pressures?

Yes. Capacity and pressure are defined per project together with design temperature, material selection and the required vessel configuration.

Which configurations and materials are available?

Vertical, horizontal and spherical configurations are available, with carbon steel and stainless-steel options depending on the application. Spherical tanks, typically used for large-volume storage of propane, butane, LPG and similar liquefied gases, are designed to AD 2000 Merkblatt or ASME (U/U2 stamp) as applicable.

Can nozzle layout and instrumentation be customized?

Yes. Nozzle arrangements, instrumentation provisions and surface or coating requirements can be defined according to the project specification.

How are design codes and documentation handled?

The applicable design code and required documentation are confirmed for the specific project and destination. Recognized pressure-equipment design codes and project-specific certification requirements can be addressed according to the agreed scope.

Is third-party inspection and stamping available?

Third-party inspection and any stamping requirements are confirmed for the specific vessel and manufacturer scope. A named inspection body, including TÜV Austria where applicable, is stated only for equipment covered by that arrangement.

View equipment details

Engineering Support

What engineering services are available?

Engineering services include process design (PFDs, thermal and mechanical calculations, piping stress analysis), system integration, 3D modeling and layout, project management, installation support and documentation.

At what stage can engineering support be involved?

Engineering support can begin during concept and specification development and continue through equipment configuration, project coordination and installation support, depending on the agreed scope.

Can engineering support be limited to one equipment package?

Yes. Technical support can be defined around the equipment or package involved in the project rather than requiring a full-facility scope.

Does the scope include documentation?

Yes. Documentation is included within the engineering scope and can extend to piping isometrics, material lists and support books, provided according to the requirements agreed for the project.

Does the engineering scope include site supervision and commissioning support?

Yes. Depending on the agreed scope, engineering support can extend to supervision of installation and assembly, and commissioning and start-up support at site.

What information is useful at the start of a project?

Medium, required capacity or flow, pressure, site constraints, existing layouts or drawings and the applicable project standards are useful starting points for defining the equipment scope.

View equipment details

Spare Parts & Accessories

Which spare parts and accessories are available?

Available categories include cryogenic globe, excess-flow and check valves, pressure-building and economizer regulators, safety relief valves and rupture discs, flowmeters, content gauges, transfer pumps, vacuum-jacketed hoses, flexible hoses and couplings, loading arms and instrumentation.

Which equipment types can be supported?

The supported equipment range includes cryogenic storage tanks, semi-trailers, ISO containers, truck-mounted tankers, LPG equipment, LCO2 systems, microbulk tanks and vaporizers.

Can spare parts be supplied as part of a maintenance or refurbishment project?

Yes. Spare parts and replacement components can be coordinated with repair, maintenance, refurbishment or upgrade work where they form part of the agreed service scope.

What information should be provided for a spare part request?

Equipment type, service medium, nameplate or model information, available drawings or part references and photographs of the existing component are useful for identifying the requirement.

What does a pressure-building/economizer regulator do?

It is a combined regulator that maintains tank pressure, either by routing vaporized product back into the tank (pressure-building function) or into the downstream line (economizer function), and is available as a replacement component for compatible tank models.

View equipment details

Geothermal & Power Generation Equipment

Which standards are the tanks manufactured to?

EN 13445, ASME and AD 2000 requirements can be reviewed for the specific vessel and destination. Any stamping, pressure equipment compliance and inspection scope are confirmed in the offer rather than assumed for every unit.

How are tank size and anchoring determined?

Size and anchoring are selected according to seismic and wind load calculations carried out in line with the relevant standards, with support and leg design arranged for convenient transportation.

What quality checks are applied?

Non-destructive examination, pressure testing, surface preparation and coating requirements follow the selected design code and inspection plan. Methods and inspection records are confirmed for the supplied vessel.

What is a Separator Tank used for?

A geothermal separator vessel divides liquid and vapor phases in the specified process. The inlet conditions, separation duty and any additional treatment requirements are defined by the process specification.

What is an Accumulation Tank used for?

An accumulation tank provides buffer or storage capacity for the specified liquid or hot water process. Volume, pressure, temperature and operating conditions are defined for the application.

What is an N-pentane Tank used for?

N-pentane tanks store the N-pentane organic working fluid used in binary-cycle (Organic Rankine Cycle, ORC) geothermal units, where heat from the separated brine vaporizes the working fluid to drive a turbine, as well as N-pentane storage for other industrial plant requirements.

View equipment details

Repair, Maintenance & Refurbishment

What services are included in repair, maintenance and refurbishment?

Services include inspection and testing, component replacement, repairs, refurbishment, modernization and upgrades, vacuum services and on-site or workshop services.

What do vacuum services involve?

A rising boil-off or evaporation rate is typically the first sign that the insulation vacuum has degraded. The service can include re-evacuating the annular space through the tank's vacuum valve, helium leak detection to locate the source, and replacement of the molecular sieve or getter material where fitted.

How is the service scope determined?

The scope is defined after reviewing the equipment condition, operating history, available technical data and the customer's operational requirements. It is therefore set per unit rather than as a fixed package.

Can equipment be refurbished instead of replaced?

Refurbishment can be considered where the condition of the specific equipment makes it a suitable option. The decision is made after assessment and the scope is defined for that unit.

Is support available for equipment not originally supplied by KAF Cryogenics?

Yes. Maintenance support is not limited to equipment originally supplied by KAF Cryogenics, provided sufficient design data and documentation are available to assess the unit.

Does a technical assessment include formal re-certification?

No. Technical assessment and service work are separate from formal periodic inspection or re-certification carried out by the authorized body applicable to the installation.

View equipment details

Used Equipment

What types of used equipment can be sourced?

The scope includes storage tanks, transport tanks and semi-trailers, truck-mounted tanks and ISO containers. Availability depends on the market and the specific inquiry.

What is the difference between equipment offered in current condition and refurbished equipment?

Equipment in current condition is offered as it is at the time of sourcing. Refurbished equipment has a defined scope of work carried out on that individual unit, and the completed work is described specifically.

Is used equipment always available from stock?

No fixed stock level should be assumed. Availability varies by unit and is confirmed at the time of inquiry because individual equipment opportunities change over time.

What should be checked on a used vacuum-insulated tank?

The boil-off or evaporation rate is a useful general indicator of insulation condition. Where available, the unit's vacuum and inspection history is reviewed alongside its design data.

Is the periodic inspection status checked for transportable tanks?

Yes. Inspection status is reviewed against the applicable tank category, approval documents and inspection regime. Required intervals and test methods are established for the specific unit.

What information is needed for a used equipment search?

The medium, required capacity, pressure, insulation type where relevant, stationary or transportable configuration, destination country and any documentation or condition requirements are useful starting points.

View equipment details

Equipment Rental

Which equipment types are available for rental?

Rental categories include cryogenic storage tanks, transportable tanks and trailers and ISO tank containers.

What are typical reasons for renting rather than purchasing equipment?

Common scenarios include bridging supply during a customer's own tank maintenance or periodic re-test, standby coverage for unplanned outages, temporary capacity during construction or commissioning, and short-term or seasonal peak demand.

Are long-term rental options available?

Yes. Long-term rental options are available. Included services, dates and location are confirmed in the rental offer.

Can rental equipment be selected by capacity and configuration?

Yes. Capacity and configuration can be selected according to project requirements, subject to current equipment availability.

Is technical support available during a rental?

Yes. Technical support and service can be included and can extend to routine maintenance and coordination of periodic inspection during the rental period, as defined for the individual arrangement.

Does the rental include site mobilization and connection?

Yes. Depending on the agreed scope, rental units can be mobilized, positioned and connected to the site's existing piping and instrumentation as part of the arrangement. Included services, dates and location are confirmed in the rental offer.

How is equipment availability confirmed?

Rental availability is confirmed for the specific inquiry together with the required equipment type, capacity, configuration and rental period.

View equipment details

Question not covered here? Send your equipment requirements to KAF Cryogenics.

Describe your application and technical parameters, and KAF Cryogenics will follow up with the relevant detail.

Request Equipment Information