What is a cryogenic tank and how do you choose between a storage dewar and a dry shipper for your laboratory?
A cryogenic tank is a vacuum-insulated vessel designed to hold liquid nitrogen at -195.8°C for static storage or transport of biological material. The term covers two functionally different product types that laboratories routinely confuse at the specification stage: storage dewars, which maintain an open liquid nitrogen bath for long-term sample archiving, and dry shippers, which use an absorbent matrix to hold liquid nitrogen in vapour phase for safe transit without liquid spillage.
The choice depends on whether temperature maintenance during transport is the primary requirement. A storage dewar will lose liquid nitrogen rapidly if tilted or inverted – making it unsuitable for courier or airline transport. A dry shipper maintains temperature for 7 to 14 days in upright or inverted orientation and meets the conditions of IATA Special Provision A152, so the shipper itself travels as not restricted. For laboratories transferring material between facilities, purchasing both types serves different operational needs. Cryolab supplies the full range – including the CryoNest and Dilvac storage dewar range and the CryoStork dry shipper series. Request a specification comparison for your laboratory requirements.
