Cryogenic Tank: Storing Liquids at Very Low Temperature
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Cryogenic Tank: Storing Liquids at Very Low Temperature
What Is a Cryogenic Tank?
A cryogenic tank stores liquefied gases — such as LNG, liquid oxygen, nitrogen, or argon — at temperatures typically below -150°C. It uses a double-wall, highly insulated construction and low-temperature steels so the liquid stays liquefied with minimal boil-off. These are specialized pressure/vacuum vessels, distinct from ambient atmospheric storage tanks.
How Does It Work?
A cryogenic tank is usually a nested (double-wall) vessel: an inner vessel of stainless or 9% nickel steel holds the liquid, surrounded by insulation (perlite, vacuum, or super-insulation) and an outer carbon-steel shell. Vapor generated by heat leak is managed by reliquefaction or a controlled vent/burn system.
Key Types, Components, and Features
Double-wall vacuum-insulated. Lowest boil-off for LNG and industrial gases.
Perlite-filled annular. Economical insulation for larger volumes.
Vertical / horizontal. Orientation follows site and duty.
Key components: inner vessel, outer shell, insulation, relief valves, vaporizer, level/temperature instruments.
Applications
· - LNG storage and peak-shaving
· - Industrial gas (O2, N2, Ar) supply
· - Air-separation unit buffer
· - Medical and food-grade cryogenic duty
Technical Considerations
Materials. 304/316L stainless or 9% Ni steel inner; carbon steel outer.
Temperature. Below -150°C; materials chosen for toughness at cryo temperature.
Pressure. Often pressurized or with vapor management.
Insulation. Vacuum + multilayer or perlite to limit heat leak.
Standards. API 620 (low-temp), EN 14620, ASME BPVC, IMO/NFPA for LNG.
Installation / maintenance. Specialist welding, vacuum integrity, relief testing.
Service life. Long with inspection of insulation and relief systems.
Project Case Study
Case Study — Canada — Livestock wastewater (1248m³, 1, completed 2025-02)
Project Background
Project type: Livestock wastewater treatment / anaerobic digestion. Industry: Livestock / agriculture. Location: Canada. Application: Livestock wastewater storage / treatment. Objective: provide a reliable, standards-referenced above-ground containment with controlled quality and a practical erection schedule. (Note: this is a verified bolted-steel tank reference illustrating the panelized, bolted construction that also underpins the supplier's bolted silos; silo projects apply the same shop-controlled panel quality to dry-bulk storage.)
Project Requirements
- Storage capacity: 1248m³
- Quantity: 1
- Tank size: φ13.76×8.4 m(H) 1 unit
- Storage medium: Livestock wastewater
- Applicable standards: ISO 28765, AWWA D103-09
- Site limitation: controlled quality, practical schedule
Technical Challenges
The duty required a large, code-compliant volume with quality that did not depend on variable field welding. A factory-controlled bolted system reduces on-site variables in coating and joint quality.
Engineering / Product Solution
- Tank type: Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) bolted tank
- Material: low-carbon steel panels with vitreous enamel coating fused at 820–930°C
- Roof: Not specified in supplied record
- Structural configuration: bolted panel shell on a concrete ring beam with gasketed joints
- Foundation: engineered concrete ring beam with anchor bolts
- Standards applied: ISO 28765, AWWA D103-09
Project Implementation
Panels were manufactured and (for GFS) shop-enameled under factory quality control, then shipped for bolted erection on site. Gasketed joints and structural fasteners were installed to procedure and inspected per the project quality plan. (Specific commissioning steps beyond the supplied record are not stated.)
Project Outcome
- Status: Completed (2025-02)
- Capacity achieved: 1248m³ across 1
- Outcome: above-ground storage delivered as a bolted, standards-referenced system
Project Information | Details |
Project Type | Livestock wastewater treatment / anaerobic digestion |
Location | Canada |
Industry | Livestock / agriculture |
Application | Livestock wastewater storage / treatment |
Product | Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) bolted tank |
Capacity | 1248m³ |
Quantity | 1 |
Material | Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) |
Standards | ISO 28765, AWWA D103-09 |
Project Status | Completed (2025-02) |
Additional Reference — Namibia — Drinking water (44900m³, 4, completed 2022-09)
Project Background
Project type: Potable water storage. Industry: Municipal water supply. Location: Namibia. Application: Drinking water storage / treatment. Objective: provide a reliable, standards-referenced above-ground containment with controlled quality and a practical erection schedule. (Note: this is a verified bolted-steel tank reference illustrating the panelized, bolted construction that also underpins the supplier's bolted silos; silo projects apply the same shop-controlled panel quality to dry-bulk storage.)
Project Requirements
- Storage capacity: 44900m³
- Quantity: 4
- Tank size: φ41.26×8.4 m(H) 4 unit
- Storage medium: Drinking water
- Applicable standards: NSF/ANSI 61, ISO 28765, AWWA D103-09
- Site limitation: controlled quality, practical schedule
Technical Challenges
The duty required a large, code-compliant volume with quality that did not depend on variable field welding. A factory-controlled bolted system reduces on-site variables in coating and joint quality.
Engineering / Product Solution
- Tank type: Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) bolted tank
- Material: low-carbon steel panels with vitreous enamel coating fused at 820–930°C
- Roof: Aluminum flat roof
- Structural configuration: bolted panel shell on a concrete ring beam with gasketed joints
- Foundation: engineered concrete ring beam with anchor bolts
- Standards applied: NSF/ANSI 61, ISO 28765, AWWA D103-09
Project Implementation
Panels were manufactured and (for GFS) shop-enameled under factory quality control, then shipped for bolted erection on site. Gasketed joints and structural fasteners were installed to procedure and inspected per the project quality plan. (Specific commissioning steps beyond the supplied record are not stated.)
Project Outcome
- Status: Completed (2022-09)
- Capacity achieved: 44900m³ across 4
- Outcome: above-ground storage delivered as a bolted, standards-referenced system
Project Information | Details |
Project Type | Potable water storage |
Location | Namibia |
Industry | Municipal water supply |
Application | Drinking water storage / treatment |
Product | Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) bolted tank |
Capacity | 44900m³ |
Quantity | 4 |
Material | Glass-Fused-to-Steel (GFS) |
Standards | NSF/ANSI 61, ISO 28765, AWWA D103-09 |
Project Status | Completed (2022-09) |
Advantages and Limitations
Advantages
· - Low boil-off — advanced insulation retains liquid
· - Material fit — cryo-tough steels prevent brittle failure
· - Safe containment — relief and vapor management
· - Versatile gases — LNG through industrial gases
Limitations
· - Specialist build — not a standard ambient tank
· - Cost — double-wall vacuum is expensive
· - Insulation reliance — heat leak drives boil-off
· - Codes — stringent pressure/cryo standards
Comparison of Relevant Tank Types
Criterion | Cryogenic Tank | Ambient GFS Tank | Welded Steel | FRP |
Temperature | < -150°C | Ambient | Ambient | Ambient |
Insulation | Double-wall/vacuum | None | None | None |
Pressure | Low/Pressurized | Atmospheric | Atmospheric | Atmospheric |
Best for | LNG, gases | Water, WW | Process/fuel | Corrosives |
How to Select the Right Solution
· - Gas and temperature — confirm cryo material grade
· - Boil-off target — choose insulation class
· - Standards — API 620 / EN 14620 / ASME
· - Relief / vapor — engineered safety system
· - Specialist EPC — cryo-qualified fabrication
· - References — comparable cryogenic projects
Cryogenic Tank selection should follow the stored medium, capacity, standards, and site constraints. Verified project experience and documented quality (coating, holiday-test, and adhesion records) matter more than marketing claims when specifying a durable, compliant installation.
For specification support, Center Enamel provides referenced Cryogenic Tank installations, holiday-test and adhesion evidence, and budgetary quotations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a cryogenic tank used for?
Cryogenic tanks store liquefied gases such as LNG, liquid oxygen, nitrogen, and argon at temperatures typically below -150°C, using double-wall insulation to keep the liquid liquefied with minimal boil-off.
Center Enamel can confirm applicable approvals and share references for comparable Cryogenic Tank installations.
How is a cryogenic tank insulated?
By a double-wall construction with vacuum plus multilayer super-insulation or perlite in the annular space, minimizing heat leak that would otherwise vaporize the liquid.
Center Enamel supports Cryogenic Tank with factory enameling, third-party testing, and global project delivery.
What materials are used in cryogenic tanks?
The inner vessel is stainless steel or 9% nickel steel for toughness at low temperature, enclosed in an outer carbon-steel shell with insulation between.
What standards apply to cryogenic tanks?
API 620 for low-temperature storage, EN 14620 for LNG, ASME BPVC for pressure parts, and NFPA/IMO rules for LNG safety.
How does boil-off affect cryogenic storage?
Heat leak vaporizes a small fraction of liquid (boil-off); systems manage it by reliquefaction or controlled venting, and better insulation reduces the loss.
Describe the gas, capacity, and site; we will route you to a cryogenic-qualified design partner and outline the specification.
Contact Center Enamel for a specification review and budgetary quotation on your Cryogenic Tank project.
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