What Do I Need to Know About Nitrogen?
Liquid nitrogen is at the very center of cryotherapy and for good reason: it is the only way to get the chamber cold enough to enter into a cryogenic state. Other methods simply do not do the trick; that’s why liquid nitrogen chambers were invented. But is it safe? Do I need a special permit or license to buy it or use it? Where do I get it and how much does it cost? These questions and others are answered below. Liquid nitrogen is an amazing element and your understanding of it will help your business and your confidence grow.
Sir James Dewar
What is Liquid Nitrogen?
Nitrogen is an element that is naturally in the air. You are actually breathing it right now, and it makes up 78% of Earth’s atmosphere. Liquid nitrogen was first discovered by Daniel Rutherford in 1772 when he chilled nitrogen gas to extreme temperatures and noticed that it condensed into a liquid. But it was difficult to keep cold for long and as it warmed it returned into its gaseous form. An Oxford chemist named Sir James Dewar solved this problem by inventing the vacuum flask in 1892 that allows for storage of liquid nitrogen and the “dewar” container bears his name today.²
Where Do I Buy Liquid Nitrogen?
Good news: Cryo Innovations will find liquid nitrogen suppliers who will deliver it to your door. As the industry leader in cryotherapy we will make introductions for you with liquid nitrogen suppliers in your area and help make your deliveries regular and simple. Liquid nitrogen is used daily in hospitals, colleges, doctor’s offices, and in industrial applications worldwide so it is readily available in every state.
How Much Does Liquid Nitrogen Cost?
A large 230 liter dewer of nitrogen will cost approximately $60.00 to rent per month and $150.00 to refill, depending upon the supplier. Each 230L will provide 30-35 sessions of cryotherapy with the XR Cryochamber, which makes your costs about five dollars per cryo session. Cryo Innovations can help you estimate your usage and when you will be ready to have a refill container delivered. Deliveries are also a no sweat situation: the delivery person will roll your new dewar in and roll the empty one out. Some may even help you hook up the hoses, although with our training you will be able to do that yourself easily.
Is Liquid Nitrogen Safe?
Yes, it is safe when it is used safely. Like all cryogenic liquids it can be misused and harm someone; however, reports of injury are rare and are nearly always due to misuse. The design of the tank and the methods used to handle it are simple. Many people use liquid nitrogen every day: hospitals, universities, restaurants, and workshops benefit from its properties with rarely an injury. It is a common fear that the dewar might “explode” but that is impossible. The liquid nitrogen is inert, noncorrosive, and nonflammable. The worst case scenario that could happen is if the tank pressure exceeded its limits and the frangible burst disc was ruptured as it is designed to do so. This could cause the liquid to come out quickly. This is extraordinarily rare. All dewars are built with pressure release valves that regulate the pressure inside the tank. This is why your dewar may hiss or make noises: the pressure is safely being released.
Do I Need a Permit for Liquid Nitrogen?
Permits are not needed for purchasing the liquid nitrogen itself. Permits may be required in your area for operating a cryotherapy chamber. If you want to learn more, read our blog on the permits required for a cryotherapy business and how Cryo Innovations can help.
Is My Location Good for Cryotherapy?
Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy chambers are mobile and can fit in small rooms. You may need to have an exhaust vent installed depending on your location but that is a simple installation that usually costs less than $200.00 and can be done by any HVAC technician.
Learn more about the benefits of cryotherapy and go through the many cryotherapy clinical studies.
Founded on facts: for peer-reviewed articles, scholarly journals, and articles cited above please see the below sources.
Earth’s atmosphere is 78% nitrogen, 18% oxygen, and 2% other gases at sea level. It is a common misconception that we breathe “oxygen” when we are breathing mostly nitrogen and only a bit of oxygen.
Dewar rhymes with “fewer.” Sadly James Dewar never patented his device and the Thermos company sought out their own patent on his vacuum flask design. Dewar was unsuccessful in challenging their claim to his discovery in court.