Liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) Equipment

Vacuum-insulated LCO₂ tanks use a double-wall construction with an evacuated annular space, which gives very low heat ingress, a long hold time and stable pressure during standstill without external power. PUR or PIR insulated tanks are single-wall vessels with foam insulation and cladding, normally combined with a mechanical refrigeration unit that removes the heat gain and holds the contents at the operating condition. The vacuum system is more tolerant of interruptions and idle periods, while the foam-insulated system is lighter in cost and well suited to installations with high turnover and a reliable power supply.

The deciding factors are turnover rate, standstill behaviour, power availability and whether the unit is static or moved. Frequent consumption with a stable electrical supply generally favours PUR or PIR insulation with a refrigeration unit, while long idle periods, remote locations without reliable power, or transport duty generally favour vacuum insulation. Ambient conditions and acceptable pressure rise during standstill are reviewed in the same assessment. This depends on the application and is confirmed per project.

Storage capacities cover small units for beverage, laboratory and welding gas supply through to bulk vessels serving process consumers and filling operations. As with other liquefied gases, the governing figure is the usable volume within the permitted filling ratio at the design condition, not the geometric volume. Capacity is selected from consumption rate, delivery interval and available plot area, and is confirmed per project.

Yes. Vertical configurations are used where plot area is limited, and horizontal configurations where height is restricted or where the vessel is skid mounted or combined with a refrigeration unit and transfer equipment on a common frame. Both arrangements use the same pressure design basis, so the selection is driven by site layout, access for filling and the required capacity.

Yes. Bulk liquid CO₂ distribution is served by road transport tanks and by frame or container mounted units for intermodal movement, both designed for the pressure and temperature at which CO₂ is transported. Transport equipment falls under the transport regulations applicable to the route, including ADR in Europe, with the associated periodic inspection regime. Configuration follows the carrier, the route and the receiving installation.

Yes. Equipment can be configured with transfer pumps, mass or volumetric flowmeters, level and pressure transmitters, automated fill and withdrawal valves and telemetry for remote monitoring of tank contents and refill planning. Instrumentation scope, signal outputs and integration with an existing control or monitoring system are defined in the equipment specification for each project.

Static vessels are commonly designed to EN 13445 with PED 2014/68/EU, to ASME Section VIII Division 1 where the US code basis is required, or to AD 2000 in German engineering practice, with EN 13458 applying to vacuum-insulated static cryogenic vessels. Transportable units reference EN 13530 together with the applicable transport regulation. The code basis is set by the country of installation and the project specification.