What Are Cryogenic Tanks and How Are They Classified?

Cryogenic tanks are vessels designed to contain materials at temperatures below -150 degrees C, using vacuum insulation to minimise heat transfer from the environment to the contents. In laboratory and clinical contexts, the term covers a range of vessel types from small portable dewars holding a few litres of liquid nitrogen to bulk cryogenic tanks holding hundreds or thousands of litres for hospital or industrial supply. The classification that matters most for an IVF laboratory is the distinction between portable cryogenic tanks and static storage vessels.

What are portable cryogenic tanks used for in an IVF context?

Portable cryogenic tanks in an IVF setting include liquid nitrogen dispensing dewars (used to top up storage vessels), dry shippers (used for sample transport), and small-format carry vessels for short-distance sample transfer within a clinic. Each type is specified differently: a dispensing dewar is chosen for its capacity and pour spout configuration; a dry shipper is chosen for its hold time and IATA compliance; a carry vessel is chosen for its insulation performance over the short durations of intra-clinic transfer.

What are static cryogenic tanks used for in an IVF context?

Static cryogenic tanks in an IVF laboratory are the primary sample storage vessels – the liquid nitrogen storage dewars in which sperm, embryos, and oocytes are held for the duration of the storage period. These are specified by canister capacity, static evaporation rate, and neck diameter. In the UK, samples stored in these vessels may be held for up to 55 years under the Health and Care Act 2022.

Do cryogenic tanks require inspection or servicing?

Yes. Cryogenic tanks used in clinical settings should be inspected on a defined schedule for vacuum integrity, mechanical condition, and seal performance. Any vessel showing unexpected increases in evaporation rate, external frosting, or physical damage should be taken out of service and assessed before samples are at risk.

The classification of a cryogenic tank matters operationally: a vessel designed for static storage in a climate-controlled laboratory will not perform the same function as a vessel designed to be transported by road or air. Specify the vessel for its actual use, not for its nominal temperature capability.

Browse Cryolab’s full range of cryogenic tanks at cryolab.co.uk/product-category/storage-vessels/.