Cryogenic Product FAQs

Question 1

What is liquid nitrogen dosing?

Accepted Answer

Liquid nitrogen dosing adds a small, precise amount of liquid nitrogen to each container just before it is capped or seamed. At -196°C (-320°F), the liquid evaporates quickly and expands to roughly 700 times its volume as nitrogen gas. This pushes air and oxygen out of the headspace and, once the container is closed, builds pressure inside it.

Question 2

Why do beverage producers use liquid nitrogen dosing?

Accepted Answer

There are two main reasons. First, the internal pressure gives still, non-carbonated products in PET bottles and cans the rigidity they need for conveying, stacking and labelling, which can also allow lighter containers. Second, removing oxygen from the headspace helps protect flavour, colour and shelf life.

Question 3

Can liquid nitrogen dosing be used on hot-fill lines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our dosing units are designed for both hot-fill and cold-fill applications. In hot filling, the product contracts as it cools, which can create a vacuum that deforms the container. The nitrogen pressure counteracts this and keeps the container in shape.

Question 4

Do your dosing units work on rotary and linear filling lines?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our liquid nitrogen dosing units are available for both rotary and linear filling lines.

Question 5

Is liquid nitrogen in food and drink packaging safe?

Accepted Answer

The dosed liquid nitrogen evaporates into nitrogen gas inside the container headspace. Nitrogen is an inert gas that makes up about 78% of the air we breathe, which is why it is widely used in food and beverage packaging.

Question 6

What do LIN, LN2 and S-LIN mean?

Accepted Answer

LIN and LN2 are both abbreviations for liquid nitrogen. S-LIN stands for sterile liquid nitrogen, which is used on aseptic filling lines.

Question 7

Why does liquid nitrogen need to be sterile for aseptic filling?

Accepted Answer

Despite its extremely low temperature, liquid nitrogen only halts the growth of microorganisms. It does not eliminate them. In pharmaceutical applications and Cold Aseptic Filling (CAF), everything that comes into contact with the product must be sterile, so the liquid nitrogen must be sterilised before it is dosed.

Question 8

What do your aseptic liquid nitrogen units do?

Accepted Answer

Our aseptic liquid nitrogen units supply sterilised liquid nitrogen for pharmaceutical applications and Cold Aseptic Filling processes, so it can be used safely in sensitive applications with strict hygiene requirements.

Question 9

How does an on-site sterile LIN production unit work?

Accepted Answer

After the system is sterilised, gaseous nitrogen passes through 0.2 µm hydrophobic sterile filters and is liquefied inside the unit. The sterile liquid nitrogen (S-LIN) is then fed to the S-LIN dosing head, where an integrated control dosing valve responds to signals from the filler (bottle, speed and dosing position) to dose each container accurately.

Question 10

Where is the sterile LIN production skid installed?

Accepted Answer

The skid is compact and fully integrated, so it can be placed on the cap preparation platform or directly beside the filler. It comes with the required valves, sterile gas filters, steam supply for sterilisation and heating, and electrical and pneumatic cabinets, ready for operation.

Question 11

What is vacuum insulated piping (VIP)?

Accepted Answer

Vacuum insulated piping, also called vacuum jacketed piping (VJP), is a double-walled stainless-steel pipe with a vacuum between the inner and outer walls. The vacuum greatly reduces heat transfer, so cryogenic liquids such as liquid nitrogen stay cold while they are transported.

Question 12

Why choose vacuum insulated piping over foam-insulated pipe?

Accepted Answer

Vacuum insulation lets far less heat into the line than foam insulation. That means less liquid nitrogen boils off, less flash gas reaches your equipment and dosing units receive a steadier liquid supply. The outer pipe also stays free of frost, ice and dripping condensation.

Question 13

Is your vacuum insulated piping rigid or flexible?

Accepted Answer

Both. Our stainless-steel vacuum insulated piping is available in rigid and flexible configurations to suit your plant layout.

Question 14

How is your vacuum insulated piping built and tested?

Accepted Answer

Our VIP has a double-walled, welded construction. Every seam is leak tested with a helium mass spectrometer, then pickled and passivated. Pre-manufactured sections are evacuated to final vacuum before delivery and fitted with a compensator for the different thermal expansion of the inner and outer pipe, plus a pump-out port.

Liquid Nitrogen Dosing and Cryogenic Equipment

Liquid Nitrogen Dosing Units

For Hot-Fill and Cold-Fill Applications on Rotary and Linear Filling Lines

Aseptic Liquid Nitrogen Units

Why Liquid Nitrogen Must Be Sterile

Vacuum Insulated Piping

Rigid and Flexible Vacuum Jacketed Piping (VJP)

On-Site Sterile LIN Production Units (Skid)

An Integrated Part of a Cold Aseptic Filling Line

Liquid Nitrogen Dosing

Aseptic and Sterile LIN Systems

Vacuum Insulated Piping

Tailoring Cryogenic Solutions to Your Unique Applications

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