{"id":2066,"date":"2026-01-23T14:34:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T13:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saesgetters.com\/industrial-getters-dispensers\/?p=2066"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:15:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:15:52","slug":"improving-vacuum-integrity-in-cryogenic-vessels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saesgetters.com\/industrial-getters-dispensers\/improving-vacuum-integrity-in-cryogenic-vessels\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving Vacuum Integrity in Cryogenic Vessels"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Case Study with Lothar+ and Bolognini Srl<\/h1> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Vacuum-insulated vessels play a critical role in the storage and handling of liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures. Their thermal performance strongly depends on the quality and long-term stability of the vacuum gap between the inner and outer shells. Even minor vacuum degradation can lead to increased boil-off rates, higher energy consumption and additional costs related to refilling and maintenance.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Over time, cryogenic vessels may require recommissioning processes aimed at restoring vacuum conditions and recovering insulation efficiency. However, vacuum restoration alone is not always sufficient to ensure stable performance in the long term, especially when residual or outgassed impurities are present.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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Hydrogen: a critical challenge for vacuum insulation<\/h2>

Among the various impurities released during vessel operation and recommissioning, hydrogen represents the most detrimental contaminant. Due to its high thermal conductivity and extremely low liquefaction temperature, hydrogen cannot be effectively managed through cryo-pumping alone. Even at low concentrations, its presence can significantly compromise the insulating properties of vacuum systems.rnrnTo mitigate these effects, vacuum baking processes are often combined with dedicated hydrogen getters, designed to actively capture hydrogen molecules and stabilize vacuum conditions over time.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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The case study: collaboration with Bolognini Srl<\/h2>

In collaboration with Bolognini Srl<\/strong><\/a>, a company specialized in the recommissioning of cryogenic storage vessels and gas handling systems, SAES conducted a comparative evaluation of vacuum integrity in cryogenic liquid oxygen (LOX) containers following vacuum restoration.<\/p>\n

Twelve identical vessels collected from the field and initially failing the Normal Evaporation Rate (NER) test were included in the study. After standard leak testing and vacuum restoration, the vessels were divided into two groups:<\/p>\n