Click to Explore How We Serve Our Clients
LN2 Contact Level Alarms
Liquid nitrogen plays a vital role in the healthcare industry, particularly in medical storage and cryopreservation. Its ultra-low temperatures make it ideal for preserving biological materials and enabling advanced medical procedures, such as emergency tissue transplants.
LN2 is a multibillion-dollar industry. According to Straits Research, growth trajectories are estimated to reach and surpass 17 billion by 2033.
As the demand for LN2 continues to grow, so does the need for reliable and efficient monitoring systems to protect temperature-sensitive assets stored cryogenically.
Neglecting in this area can lead to product degradation, thus directly impacting the results of risky surgical procedures.
LeMaitre Vascular supplies hospitals with donated transplant tissue to be used for literally life-and-death surgeries.
These tissues are incredibly temperature-sensitive. If they aren’t kept at extremely low temperatures, they will disintegrate, which lowers the quality of the tissue sample – this poses a risk to the results of the surgery and the safety of the patients who desperately need this priceless resource. You can read more about their story in the case study here.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the world of LN2 contact level alarms and explore how investing in an advanced monitoring system will improve workplace safety in cryogenic storage environments.
Cryogenic Tank Level Monitoring
Cryogenic tanks are specially designed storage vessels that hold extremely low-temperature liquids; in this case, liquid nitrogen (LN2).
These vessels are engineered with vacuum insulation and specialized materials to prevent heat transfer, reducing LN2 loss through evaporation.
This is essential for safely storing and transporting LN2 while maintaining its cryogenic state.
However, because LN2 naturally evaporates over time, cryogenic temperature monitoring is critical to ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Why Level Monitoring Matters
Cryopoint is a perfect example of a company that takes its cryogenic monitoring needs very seriously.
The VP of Operations at Cryopoint – Tony Donofrio – states that “there’s no room for error when it involves temperature monitoring.”
LN2 is used for cryopreservation, medical treatments, and industrial cooling. If levels drop and no one notices, biological samples, vaccines, or critical machinery could be compromised.
This also isn’t just a hazard risk to your resources. If LN2 tanks aren’t properly monitored, several workplace hazards can arise, potentially putting employees and facilities at risk.
LN2 rapidly expands when it evaporates—1 liter of liquid nitrogen turns into 695 liters of gas.
In enclosed spaces, this displacement of oxygen can create an oxygen-deficient environment, leading to unconsciousness, suffocation, and even death before workers realize the danger.
This is especially risky in labs, medical storage rooms, or industrial sites with poor ventilation.
Direct contact with LN2 or improperly handled cryogenic tanks can cause severe frostbite or cold burns. Accidental splashes or leaks expose workers to instant tissue damage, leading to nerve damage or permanent injury.
If an LN2 tank is not monitored for pressure buildup, excess evaporation can create dangerously high pressure inside the vessel. Without proper venting, the tank can rupture or explode, sending metal fragments and supercooled liquid through the air.
If air seeps into an LN2 tank as levels drop, oxygen can condense into liquid form.
Liquid oxygen is also highly reactive and can increase the flammability of surrounding materials, creating fire or explosion hazards.
Regardless of the technology used, high-quality monitoring is essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of cryogenic operations.
By continuously tracking LN2 levels, facility managers can quickly identify and address any issues before they escalate into serious problems.
Sonicu's cloud-based monitoring platform, SoniCloud, exemplifies the benefits of integrated data management.
After investing in Sonicu, the VP of Cryopoint Operations made the following statement, “Sonicu’s Temperature Monitoring Program provides Cryopoint peace of mind and bolsters our clients’ confidence in what we do”.
You can read more about Cryopoint’s experience here.
With features like 24/7 automated monitoring, secure data storage, and real-time access via mobile apps, SoniCloud empowers users to stay on top of their cryogenic assets from anywhere, at any time.
Understanding LN2 Level Alarm Systems
When it comes to choosing an LN2-level alarm system, there are several types available on the market, each with its own benefits and applications.
The key is to select a system that is compatible with your existing infrastructure and provides the level of accuracy and reliability required for your specific use case.
Here's a closer look at the key components of an effective monitoring system:
- Sensors: These devices are the eyes and ears of the monitoring system, constantly measuring the level of LN2 in the tank. They use various technologies, such as capacitive or ultrasonic sensing, to accurately detect changes in liquid levels.
- Alarms: When the sensors detect a drop in LN2 levels below a predefined threshold, the alarm system is triggered. These alarms can be visual (flashing lights), auditory (sirens or buzzers), or both, alerting personnel to take immediate action.
- Control Systems: The control system is the brain of the monitoring setup, processing data from the sensors and activating alarms when necessary. It also interfaces with other facility management systems, allowing for seamless integration and data exchange.
As the leader in wireless temperature monitoring, Sonicu understands the critical importance of level monitoring within cryogenic environments and supplies all of the aforementioned components with their monitoring kits.
Kris Demczyszyn, Operations Coordinator of LeMaitre Vascular, needed a smarter solution to simplify monitoring for his growing enterprise.
Since switching to Sonicu, he’s been very pleased with the simplified system, customizable alarm features, and that he can see everything from anywhere, right on his cell phone.
You can read more of Demczyszyn’s testimony here.
All Sonic sensors are meticulously calibrated to meet NIST standards for ultra-low temperatures necessary to keep your assets at the required preservation levels until it’s time to use them.
SoniCloud, our cloud-based software, gives facility managers the ability to create customized LN2 contact level alarms and assign the right people to receive notifications if and when temperatures deviate.
This same software is where you can instantly access hundreds of lines on monitoring through your desktop, tablet, or smartphone, just like Kris from LeMaitre.
From this app, you can also check data trends and generate reports on-demand for an upcoming audit, ensuring compliance on your cryo tanks at all times.
At Sonicu, we’ve made cryogenic temperature monitoring easy.
Liquid Nitrogen Contact Level Alarms
One of the key benefits of contact level alarms is their ability to detect even the slightest changes in LN2 levels, allowing for early intervention and prevention of potential issues.
In a case study conducted by Sonicu with Xytex Laboratories, a leading provider of cryogenic storage solutions for biological materials, the implementation of a comprehensive LN2 monitoring system with contact level alarms proved to be a game-changer.
The system's real-time alerts and tiered alarming features helped the lab staff quickly respond to any anomalies, reducing the risk of sample loss and enhancing overall operational efficiency.
LN2 Low-Level Sensor Alarms
You wouldn’t be able to take action on a deviating cryogenic temperature unless you were aware there was even an issue.
An Ohio-based Boy Scout Camp – Camp Hugh Taylor Birch – learned the importance of temperature monitoring a little too late, after losing over $5,000 worth of food due to a power trip causing their walk-in cooler to shut off and it went unnoticed for over a week.
Today, they use Sonicu to monitor their walk-in cooler temperatures and send them an instant alert when temperatures deviate.
This security doubles as a way to pinpoint when exactly this happens so they can take action to protect their food supply.
While this particular customer experience is only related to cold storage, the same logic applies to the value of LN2 low-level sensor alarms.
Low-level sensor alarms are an equally critical component of any comprehensive LN2 monitoring system, though they can be more difficult to detect.
The consequences of not catching low-level alarms can be severe, ranging from the loss of valuable samples or products to the risk of equipment damage or even personal injury.
Plus, given the extremely low temperatures of cryogenic environments, the sensor and alarm components must be built to withstand harsh conditions without compromising performance.
A high-quality ultra-low temperature sensor will be able to detect even minor changes in LN2 levels while maintaining consistency in negative temperatures.
When paired with software with customizable alarms, if the sensor picks up a trend in readings that becomes concerning, it communicates this via the software, which will then generate an alert in a timely manner to the right personnel.
To ensure the long-term results of your monitoring system’s performance, it’s recommended to replace your cryogenic sensors once every year or two years, depending on your industry’s regulation requirements.
Proper sensor installation is another critical factor in ensuring the effectiveness of low-level sensor alarms. The sensors should be placed at the appropriate height within the tank, taking into account factors such as the tank's geometry and the expected rate of LN2 evaporation.
It's also important to avoid common pitfalls, such as positioning the sensor too close to the tank walls or in areas prone to turbulence, which can lead to false alarms or missed events.
When you work with Sonicu, you have the option to have your cryogenic sensors installed by a professionally trained Sonicu Technician.
If you’re more of the DIY-type, we also have a helpful guide with a video demonstration on Cryogenic Installation and Placement, available for free on Sonicu Academy.
Sonicu's -80°C Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) LN2 Sensors are specifically designed for top-level sensing in LN2 dewars, providing the precision and reliability needed for critical applications in research and medical settings.
By leveraging these advanced sensors in combination with a robust alarming system, organizations can proactively manage their cryogenic assets and mitigate the risks associated with low LN2 levels.
Enhancing Safety with Cryogenic Level Detection Solutions
As technology continues to evolve, so do the opportunities for enhancing safety and efficiency in cryogenic-level detection.
By investing in these advanced detection systems, organizations can not only improve safety but also streamline regulatory compliance and reporting.
Many modern solutions come equipped with built-in data logging and audit trail capabilities, making it easier to demonstrate adherence to industry standards and best practices.
Looking ahead, the future of cryogenic safety technology is bright.
Innovations like wireless connectivity and cloud-based data management are poised to transform the way organizations monitor and manage their LN2 assets.
As these technologies mature and become more widely adopted, we can expect to see a new era of enhanced safety, efficiency, and reliability in cryogenic operations.
At Sonicu, we're committed to staying at the forefront of these developments.
We’ve referenced many satisfied Sonicu customers in this article, but there are thousands more that span across varying industries:
- Healthcare Temperature Monitoring: Nurses respond to Sonicu alerts to protect their patients by first protecting medicine and vaccines.
- Pharmacy and Laboratory Temperature Monitoring: Research and science department heads rely on Sonicu alerts to keep classroom labs safe for the heroes of tomorrow.
- University Research Temperature Monitoring: Research and science department heads rely on Sonicu alerts to keep research and classroom labs safe.
- K-12 Food Service Monitoring: Food distributors rely on Sonicu to protect meals served to students.
Our team of experts is constantly evaluating emerging technologies and incorporating them into our solutions to provide our customers with the most advanced and effective LN2 monitoring tools available.
Whether you're a small research lab or a large-scale biobank, we have the expertise and resources to help you optimize your cryogenic safety infrastructure.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive guide, we've explored the critical role of LN2 contact level alarms in ensuring the safe and efficient operation of cryogenic storage facilities.
From understanding the basic components and functionality of these systems to exploring advanced detection technologies and best practices for maintenance and calibration, we've covered a wide range of topics essential for anyone working with liquid nitrogen.
As we've seen, the importance of reliable and accurate LN2 level monitoring cannot be overstated.
Whether you're responsible for safeguarding irreplaceable research samples, ensuring the quality of manufactured products, or protecting the health and safety of patients and personnel, having a robust monitoring solution in place is essential.
At Sonicu, we understand the challenges and complexities of managing cryogenic assets.
That's why we offer a comprehensive range of LN2 monitoring solutions, backed by our expertise and commitment to customer success.
From our cutting-edge SoniShield Duo and SoniLink Hub system to our cloud-based SoniCloud platform and SNAP calibration program, we have the tools and resources to help you optimize your cryogenic safety infrastructure.
Whether you need guidance on selecting the right monitoring solution for your facility, assistance with installation and configuration, or ongoing support and maintenance, we're here to help.
With Sonicu as your partner, you can have confidence that your cryogenic assets are in good hands.
If you have any questions or would like more information about Sonicu’s LN2 monitoring solutions, contact one of our specialists today.
American-based Customer Support: Robust & Reliable High Touch Service
Software and technology is only as good as the people who stand behind it.
At Sonicu, that means our team of American-based customer success managers who are never more than a phone call away to help field and fix any service issues.
Our probes and sensors are placed in demanding frozen environments and our software literally sends billions bits of data monthly, meaning there’s always the potential for a hiccup on either the hardware or software.
We are committed to fielding every customer service request promptly and addressing our customer’s concerns promptly and professionally.
“I like to say that every refrigerator or freezer is like a car in that they all behave a bit differently,
and then every now and then you just get a bad boy who doesn’t want to perform as we need it to,”
Martha Rardin, Director, Nutrition and Dietetics, Hendricks Regional Hospital.
“Sonicu has been a powerful tool to identify which units are behaving out of spec and get our team
to fix them before we have a serious issue.”
Tim Livesay, Director, Hancock Regional Hospital Pharmacy Director
We realized there had to be a better way and went in search of technology that could give us that level of monitoring that would keep our patients safe. Sonicu made it easy and we grew across the entire hospital.