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Cryogenic Engineering pp 120–133Cite as

Insulation Progress since the Mid-1950s

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Part of the book series: International Cryogenics Monograph Series ((ICMS))

Abstract

Storage vessel and cryostat design for modern cryogenic systems has become rather routine as the result of the wide use of and application of cryogenic fluids. Such vessels for these fluids range in size from 1 L flasks used in the laboratory for liquid nitrogen to the more than 200,000 m3 double-walled tanks used for temporary storage of liquefied natural gas before being transported overseas to their final destination. These storage vessels for cryogenic fluids range in type from low-performance containers insulated with rigid foam or fibrous insulation to high-performance containers insulated with evacuated multilayer insulations. The overriding factors in the type of container selected normally are of economics and safety. This paper will consider various insulation concepts used in such cryogenic storage systems and will review the progress that has been made over the past 50 years in these insulation systems.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, CO, 80301, USA

    K.D. Timmerhaus

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  1. K.D. Timmerhaus
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA

    Klaus D. Timmerhaus

  2. Cryogenic Materials, Inc., 2625 Iliff, Boulder, CO, 80305, USA

    Richard P. Reed

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© 2007 Springer

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Timmerhaus, K. (2007). Insulation Progress since the Mid-1950s. In: Timmerhaus, K.D., Reed, R.P. (eds) Cryogenic Engineering. International Cryogenics Monograph Series. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-46896-X_6

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