SUPPLEMENT
Ambient Air – Extruded aluminium ‘fins’ allow ambient heat
Vaporizers in
2015: Making
the right choice
An introduction, from CryoVation, LLC
A
lthough cryogenic liquid-to-gas vaporizers might be
seen as a rather mundane component of the industrial
gas use process, they are nevertheless a critical and
mandatory sub-system. The variety of vaporizer
options available suggests careful evaluation when selecting the
appropriate type and model, whether for a cylinder fill plant or
end-user application.
Selection involves the consideration of flow rate, outlet gas
temperature required, duty cycle (hours per day), space available
for installation, power available at site, ambient climate, and
material compatibility for the liquid/gas intended. The most
common vaporizer types include:
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to be conducted into the cryogenic liquid stream to provide
vaporization. This is the most common type due to its relative
low cost to produce and operate. Ambient air vaporizers may be
properly sized for the application by increasing the size of the unit
in length, width and height.
Ambient vaporizer models allow selection of the process tubing
through the unit to comply with the maximum working pressure
and type of liquid/gas for which the vaporizer is intended. Tube
materials normally include aluminium (low pressure applications to
500 PSI/34 Bar), stainless steel, Monel and brass (higher pressures
ranging from 3000 PSI/200 Bar to 10,000 PSI/680 Bar).
Advantage: Price, zero operating cost.
Disadvantage: Space required, water run-off during defrosting,
outlet temperature dependent upon ambient air temperature.
For high-use process applications it is common to install parallel
vaporizers with a control system that allows for one unit to be ‘on-
line’ while the other is allowed to defrost and remain on standby
until switchover. Switching is controlled by either sensing of a set
low temperature on the outlet or simply by elapsed time. Switching
control and monitoring is now common with Ethernet connection.
Fan Ambient Air – The Fan Ambient Vaporizer is the same as
the above ambient vaporizer, but includes a top-mounted fan to
force draft the air across the fins. The efficiency of the vaporizer
is roughly doubled, allowing for a smaller sized vaporizer per
required flow rate. The fan motors, ranging from approximately
1 to 10 horsepower, require electrical controls and power for
operation.
With fan ambient vaporizers it is possible to mount the vaporizer
horizontally and still maintain good efficiency due to the force
drafting. This is advantageous in low ceiling areas or where
municipalities require zero visibility of the system, such as in
hospitals, for example.
Advantage: Size considering flow rate, price, low operating cost.
Disadvantage: Space required, noise, water run-off during
defrosting, outlet temperature dependent upon ambient air
temperature
Electric – The electric type vaporizers consist of heaters that
transfer heat into a medium for conduction into the process
tubing. The transfer mediums are normally an aluminium
‘block’ or water filled tank (waterbath). Electric vaporizers may
commonly range from 20 to 100 kilowatts (higher for large process
applications). Electric vaporizers allow for a discharge temperature
well above the ambient temperature, which is important in many
applications (gas mixing, industrial processes), but this comes at
the disadvantage of the power required to operate the system.
Amperage for a 100 Kw vaporizer will require 240 amps at 240
volts, three phase (150 amps at 380 volt).

CRYOVATION REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM OF VAPORIZERS AND CONTROL SYSTEM
The Waterbath type allows for a much lower wattage, and
thereby amperage requirement, due to the stored energy of the
larger waterbath tank. The outlet temperature is also steady,
without high and low swings as heaters cycle, to provide a smaller
band of outlet temperature high and low.
Electric type vaporizers may be used in conjunction with
an ambient vaporizer as a ‘trim’ heater to boost the outlet
temperature, but reduce the wattage required.
Advantage: Small size, indoor installation possible, higher
discharge temperature.
Disadvantage: Ongoing power cost to operate, possible
limitation in available power.
Steam/Gas – Process plants that have steam or natural gas benefit
from the efficiency of these high usage vaporizers. Although
ambient type vaporizers could suffice, the size, shipping cost and
VAPORIZERS IN 2015
price make them disadvantageous when steam and / or natural
gas are available to handle the high flow rate and duty cycles.
Typically, the steam vaporizers are configured in a ‘shell-in-tube’
design to allow the steam to cross-flow the process tubing or
the heating of a waterbath vessel. The gas fired Vaporizers are
similar to conventional home water heaters, in that the gas heats
a waterbath tank (similar to the electric type waterbath detailed
above).
Advantage: Low cost to operate per flow rate, small size,
indoor installation possible, higher discharge temperature.
Disadvantage: Steam or gas source required.
The prospective vaporizer user should consult with their system
provider to ascertain the appropriate type of vaporizer for their
process. Additionally, manual, semi-automated or fully automated
controls may be required for optimum performance. gw
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