Liquid Nitrogen Tanks and Cryogenic Storage: A Complete Guide
A liquid nitrogen tank is a specialist cryogenic vessel designed to store biological and scientific samples at -196 degrees Celsius. Also known as a liquid nitrogen storage dewar, cryogenic storage tank, or cryogenic liquid nitrogen container, these vessels are the backbone of every cryopreservation programme — from IVF clinics and sperm banks to biobanks and pharmaceutical research facilities.
At -196 degrees Celsius, all enzymatic activity, cellular degradation, and biological processes are effectively halted, allowing samples to remain viable indefinitely under correct storage conditions. The reliability and integrity of the cryogenic storage tank is therefore one of the most consequential decisions any laboratory or clinic makes.
Cryolab has supplied liquid nitrogen tanks and cryogenic storage equipment to IVF clinics, biobanks, and research facilities for over 40 years, backed by ISO 9001:2015 certification and a specialist UK-based technical team.
Types of Liquid Nitrogen Tank
Liquid Nitrogen Storage Dewars
The most widely used form of cryogenic storage tank in IVF and reproductive medicine. Available in a range of capacities, canister configurations, and holding times, designed for long-term storage of embryos, oocytes, sperm, and biological samples in the liquid or vapour phase of liquid nitrogen.
High-Capacity Cryogenic Storage Tanks for Biobanking
Large-volume cryogenic liquid nitrogen containers used where large numbers of samples must be stored reliably for years or decades. These vessels prioritise holding time, capacity, and temperature stability, and are often integrated with auto-fill and continuous monitoring systems.
Liquid Nitrogen Dispensing Dewars
Wide-neck cryogenic containers used for storing and dispensing LN2 in the laboratory. Used for topping up storage dewars, handling liquid nitrogen during cryopreservation workflows, and filling controlled-rate freezers.
Vapour Phase vs Liquid Phase Storage
Samples stored in the liquid phase sit submerged at -196 degrees Celsius. Vapour phase storage keeps samples above the liquid surface at -140 to -190 degrees Celsius, reducing cross-contamination risk. Most modern IVF and biobank programmes use vapour phase cryogenic storage tanks.
Liquid Nitrogen Tank Products from Cryolab
Cryolab supplies a full range of liquid nitrogen storage tanks and cryogenic storage dewars for IVF, biobanking, sperm banking, and research applications.
 | CryoCan 47-10 LN2 Storage Tank A 47-litre liquid nitrogen storage dewar featuring ten round canisters, a lightweight design, and market-leading holding times. One of the most trusted cryogenic storage tanks in IVF and reproductive medicine, designed for long-term sample preservation at -196 degrees Celsius. |
 | CryoNest XL LN2 Storage Vessel A high-capacity cryogenic liquid nitrogen container designed for IVF clinics and biobanks requiring large-volume, reliable long-term sample storage. The CryoNest XL delivers exceptional holding times and storage capacity for high-throughput cryopreservation programmes. |
Expert Perspective: Paul Hague, Cryolab
Paul Hague has spent over 40 years at the forefront of cryogenic science and reproductive medicine. He introduced the controlled-rate freezer to Professor Robert Edwards — the Nobel Prize-winning pioneer of IVF — and has attended 42 consecutive ESHRE annual meetings, more than any other delegate in the congress’s history.
“In over 40 years of working with IVF laboratories and biobanks worldwide, the question I am asked most often is not about freezing protocols or equipment specs. It is about reliability. A liquid nitrogen storage tank is not a sophisticated piece of technology. It is a promise. And in reproductive medicine, that promise has to hold for years, sometimes decades.”
— Paul Hague, Director, Cryolab
How to Choose a Liquid Nitrogen Tank
Storage Capacity
Liquid nitrogen storage dewars are available from a few litres for small clinics to hundreds of litres for large biobanks. Consider projected growth over the next five to ten years when selecting tank size, not just current volumes.
Canister Configuration
The number and type of canisters within a cryogenic storage tank determines how many samples can be stored and how they are organised. Round canisters suit straw and cane-based IVF storage systems, while segmented configurations may suit cryovial-based biobank programmes.
Holding Time
Holding time is the number of days a liquid nitrogen dewar maintains its operating temperature when full. Longer holding times reduce maintenance frequency and provide a greater safety margin in the event of an LN2 supply disruption.
Monitoring and Alarms
For clinical and biobank applications, liquid nitrogen tanks should be integrated with continuous LN2 level monitoring and alarm systems. This is a regulatory requirement in HFEA-licensed facilities and best practice in all biobanking environments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liquid Nitrogen Tanks
What is a liquid nitrogen tank?
A liquid nitrogen tank, also called a cryogenic storage tank or liquid nitrogen dewar, is a vacuum-insulated vessel used to store biological samples at -196 degrees Celsius using liquid nitrogen as the coolant.
What is a liquid nitrogen storage dewar?
A liquid nitrogen storage dewar is another term for a liquid nitrogen tank — a cryogenic vessel for long-term biological sample storage at -196 degrees Celsius. The term dewar comes from Sir James Dewar, inventor of the vacuum flask.
What is the difference between a liquid nitrogen tank and a dry shipper?
A liquid nitrogen tank is for static long-term storage. A dry shipper is a transport-specific cryogenic vessel that maintains cryogenic temperatures without free liquid nitrogen, making it safe for air freight and courier transport. See our cryoshipper guide for more.
How long does liquid nitrogen last in a storage tank?
Holding time depends on tank size, insulation quality, and usage. Well-maintained cryogenic storage tanks can hold liquid nitrogen for 30 to 90 days or more. Cryolab CryoCan and CryoNest tanks are designed for market-leading holding times.
What is a cryogenic liquid nitrogen container used for?
Cryogenic liquid nitrogen containers are used to store biological samples including embryos, oocytes, sperm, stem cells, blood, tissue, and cell lines at -196 degrees Celsius in IVF clinics, biobanks, sperm banks, and research laboratories.
