A typical customer service call:“Hello. This is ___________ and there is frost on the outside of our cryogenic liquid oxygen cylinder. Is this a problem?”
How do we determine without a game of 21 questions?
Q: Is the ice or frost all over the vessel or is it more localized?
A: Oh no. It is just at the bottom and some up on the pipes?
Q: Does the unit frost up all the time or only when in use?
A: Only when in use. And, the more gas used the worse it gets.
Conclusion- In all likelihood this is normal…. Especially in humid environments like the Gulf Coast and Northwest U.S. .
Remember. If the pressure of the liquid cylinder contents is below the economizer set point then Gas used is originating from the bottom of the liquid cylinder as liquid. This liquid is being exposed to outside heat via a set of coils brazed to the outside wall of the vessel. Exposing it to heat raises the temperature of the liquid above the boiling point to make it gas.
This liquid is coming out of the bottom of the liquid cylinder at something around -300 degrees Fahrenheit. It is only normal for outside cold are to frost up on the outside of a container that is exchanging energy at this level. Also, It is completely reasonable that the more gas you use the more frost will grow.
Is there a limit to how much liquid can be vaporized by the gas use coil?
Manana….
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