To understand why it is crucial to monitor liquid nitrogen level in cryogenic tanks, let’s compare it to a common kitchen situation: a pot of water on the stove. You monitor the temperature to know when the water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, the boiling point. But if you don’t pay attention to the water level, it could evaporate completely, causing overheating that could damage the pot and the stove. Similarly, in cryogenic tanks, measuring the liquid nitrogen level is essential to prevent disasters and give yourself time to react.
1. The Pot Analogy
Temperature: An Indicator, But Not Sufficient
When boiling water, monitoring temperature alone tells you when the water reaches its boiling point, but it doesn’t inform you of the remaining water quantity. In a cryogenic tank, liquid nitrogen temperature remains extremely low, regardless of the amount of nitrogen. If you only measure temperature, you risk not seeing that nitrogen level is dangerously dropping.
Water Level: A Crucial Indicator
By monitoring water level in the pot, you can add water before it completely evaporates, thus preventing damage. Similarly, measuring liquid nitrogen level in a cryogenic tank ensures there is always enough nitrogen to keep samples at safe temperatures, giving you the time needed to react and refill the tank before it’s too late.
2. The Reality of Cryogenic Tanks
The Role of Liquid Nitrogen
In laboratories and healthcare facilities, liquid nitrogen is used to preserve biological samples at extremely low temperatures. If liquid nitrogen level becomes too low, the temperature inside the tank could rise, compromising sample integrity.
Temperature Measurement vs. Level Measurement
Liquid nitrogen temperature remains constantly near -196°C. Measuring this temperature provides little information about the remaining nitrogen quantity. Conversely, a liquid nitrogen level monitor provides precise data on nitrogen volume, enabling proactive management and avoiding crisis situations. By measuring level, you are alerted well before samples are in danger, giving you an opportunity window to react.
3. The Benefits of ATEK’s Liquid Nitrogen Level Monitors
ATEK offers liquid nitrogen level monitors designed for cryogenic tanks. These monitors offer several advantages:
- Failure Prevention: ATEK monitors alert users when nitrogen level becomes critical, allowing prevention of failures and maintaining sample safety.
- Efficient Management: Notifications and alerts sent through the ATEK platform allow users to react quickly and organize tank refills efficiently.
- Enhanced Safety: By ensuring continuous monitoring of nitrogen level, monitors guarantee that storage conditions remain optimal, minimizing sample loss risks.
Conclusion
Just as it’s crucial to monitor water level in a pot to prevent it from burning on the stove, it’s essential to measure liquid nitrogen level in cryogenic tanks to ensure the safety and integrity of samples. ATEK, with its advanced monitoring solutions, provides indispensable tools to maintain optimal conditions in cryogenic environments. By measuring liquid nitrogen level, you give yourself the time needed to react and protect your precious biological samples.