A Better Fix for Less?

A client called this morning inquiring about current pricing for 350psi (4L-292) cryogenic liquid cylinders (VGLs) and said his customer’s are requesting them instead of the 235psi (4L-200) VGLs he has been providing. Interestingly enough, he was also requesting repairs on six of his liquid cylinders with a note to be sure and check the pressure builders.

Possibility: End users have been cranking down on the pressure builders of his liquid cylinders to try and get more flow out of them.

The rub is that the flow from a DOT 4L-200 or a 4L-292 is just almost identical (+/- 300scfh depending on the model and whether you are vaporizing liquid oxygen, nitrogen or argon). So, higher pressure will not make higher flow. What will provide extra flow is to add some downstream vaporization allowing for a doubling or more of the gas withdrawal rate.

Suggestion: Put a hang-on Vap on the liquid cylinder at a cost of around $1000 to $2000. This is:

a) a lot less expensive than purchasing six new higher pressure liquid cylinders at $2000 to $3000 each;
b) actually better since it solves the problem which the new liquid cylinders would not;
c) and keeps the existing liquid cylinders in service and generating revenue.

Granted- this is assuming that the real issue is flow. We discussed visiting with the customer first to get a better idea of their application. There are just so many more applications that run at 80 to 110psi versus over 200psi means that it is likely they really don’t need 350psi liquid cylinders.


Pay a lot less and get what you really need? Hmmm.........