Liquid Nitrogen and Cryogenics Training Program

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Liquid Nitrogen and Cryogenics Training Program

• Prepared by Kathryn Billings

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Potential HazardsHealth

• Vapors may cause dizziness or asphyxiation
  without warning.
• Vapors from liquefied gas are initially heavier
  than air and spread along ground.
• Contact with gas or liquefied gas may cause
  burns, severe injury, and/or frostbite.

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Public Safety

• Immediately call emergency personnel in the event
  of a large spill or leak.
• 9-1-1 from campus phone or 438-8631 for ISUPD
  dispatcher
• Isolate large spills or leaks for at least 100
  meters in all directions.
• Keep unauthorized personnel away.
• Stay upwind.
• Keep out of low areas.
• Ventilate closed spaces before entering.

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Container Requirements

• Closed container with a loose fitting top that
  allows venting.
• Use only vessels designed for extreme cold (i.e.
  insulated).
• Vessel must have carrying handles or be on
  wheels.

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Potential HazardsExplosion

• Liquid Nitrogen must be transported and stored in
  an appropriate container containing pressure
  relief devices.
• Otherwise, when the pressure builds up,
• the stopper could be "rocketed out"
• or worse, the container could explode

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Appropriate Containers

• Examples of acceptable cryogenic Dewar's

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Inappropriate Containers

• DO NOT use open, un-insulated or glass containers!

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Liquid Nitrogen Tank

• Located off loading dock at Science Lab Building
• Key can be checked out at the Chemistry
  storeroom.
• Enter through South East gate.

Valve Location
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Liquid Nitrogen Tank

• Do NOT touch any of the valves on the North side
  of the tank.
• Do NOT enter through the North gate.

DO NOT touch!
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Protective Clothing

• Always wear thermal protective clothing when
  handling refrigerated/cryogenic liquids or
  solids.
• It is required you wear a full face shield over
  safety glasses, loose fitting gauntlet gloves,
  long sleeve shirts, full-length trousers without
  cuffs, and fully enclosed shoes.

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Fill Hose

• The liquid Nitrogen is released through this hose.

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ProceduresStep 1 Fill Hose

• Insert and hold the fill hose into the
  appropriate container or into the funnel.

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ProceduresStep 2 Open/Close Valve

• Open valve slowly to begin filling.
• Close valve tightly after filling.

Valve
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Safe Handling

• Wear Personal Protective Equipment
• Face Guard
• Gloves
• Always use liquid Nitrogen in a well ventilated
  area.
• Use a loose-fitting stopper or lid that allows
  venting of the boil off.
• If using a funnel, use caution not to overfill
  the container.

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Safe HandlingContinued

• Only transport liquid nitrogen in the freight
  elevator with no other occupants present.
• Only use containers that have been designed
  specifically for cryogenic liquids.
• Do not store in a confined space.
• Do not store at temperatures above 125F.

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References

• Emergency Response Guide 2004
• Harvard University
• Praxair
• http//www.chem.uncc.edu/safety/NitrogenSafety.htm
  l
• http//www-safety.deas.harvard.edu/services/nitrog
  en.html