The business of cryogenic pumps (also called cryo pumps) is a highly technical business that requires sufficient training on the technology and types of high-pressure cryogenic liquid pumps, such as cryo vacuum pumps, cryogenic oxygen pumps and cryogenic magnetic drive pumps. A cryogenic vacuum pump is the most common type of high-pressure cryogenic pump.

Gaining adequate knowledge about cryogenic pump design and operation is very important for entering into the business of industrial cryogenic pumps and keeping up with the pace of the industry. For these purposes, you can join graduate courses at leading universities, or subscribe to the magazines and periodicals that give updated information about industrial cryogenic pumps. You can also refer to scholarly papers and articles written by experts in the field of cryogenics.

To gain adequate cryogenic pumps education and training for yourself or your staff, you can:

1. Join a certification course in cryogenics or cryo pumps.
2. Seek the advice of an expert if you need information on a particular type, such as a cryogenic vacuum pump or a cryogenic oxygen pump.
3. Subscribe to magazines and periodicals about the industry.
4. Read scholarly articles and research papers by experts in the field of cryogenic pumps.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a graduate level course in cryogenics that includes knowledge about cryo pumps

You can enroll in a graduate level course in cryogenics at leading universities. These courses give detailed knowledge about the instrumentation of cryogenics, including cryogenic pumps.

I recommend: The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering of the University of California, Los Angeles offers a graduate level course in cryogenics and low-temperature processes that offers detailed knowledge about fundamentals of cryogenics and operation and optimization of cryogenic systems including cryogenic pumps. In addition, you can enroll in the graduate level course in cryogenics at the Department of Engineering Physics of the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Subscribe to magazines and periodicals to update your knowledge about cryo pumps

Magazines and periodicals dedicated to these branches of mechanical engineering can provide useful and updated information about cryogenic pumps.

I recommend: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME International) publishes Mechanical Engineering Magazine, which provides useful information about many branches of mechanical engineering including cryogenics. The Cryogenic Society of America publishes Cold Facts, an internationally recognized magazine that concentrates only on the science and technology of cryogenics. In addition, you can register with the Library and Information Center of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where you can access many magazines and periodicals dedicated to cryogenics.

Gain cryogenic pumps education and training by referring to scholarly papers and research articles

You can refer to papers, books and research articles by experts to gain in-depth knowledge about cryogenic pumps.

I recommend: Refer to the scholarly papers that the American Institute of Physics publishes online. In addition, you can buy research papers and articles on cryogenic pumps at The American Physical Society, an association dedicated to physics.

Cryogenics are being used in many different industries such as: food processing, aerospace, microbiology, pharmaceutical, surgical, electronics and metalworking. Cryogenics require extremely low temperatures to liquefy the gas and as a result specialty equipment must be used. Industrial cryogenic pumps must be used to move liquefied gas at cryogenic temperatures. Cryogenic pump design must take into consideration the extreme temperature under which it will be used so that it will continue to function properly.

Some determining price factors to think about when purchasing industrial cryogenic pumps are how the pumps will be used and how often the processing will be needed.

1. Will the cryo pumps be used in a high or low flow continuous operation?

2. Will the cryo pumps be used in a high or flow intermittent operation?

3. Will single or multi-stage cryo pumps be needed?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose single or multi-stage cryogenic oxygen pumps

Cryo pumps are manufactured as either a single-stage or a multi-stage pump. Multi-stage units are primarily used for removing all gases from a vacuum chamber. Single-stage pumps are used to condense gases with low vapor pressures.

I recommend: Lawrence Pumps specializes in the manufacture of multi-stage pumps. Cryostar USA West and SHI Cryogenics manufacture single-stage and multi-stage cryogenic process pumps.

Set up accounts with multiple cryogenic pump suppliers

Having multiple suppliers for your cryogenic pump needs makes good business sense. In today's uncertain economies, businesses can shut down overnight and you do not wish to be left in the lurch if the only supplier you use suddenly goes out of business. Arrange payment terms with several cryo pump suppliers so that you can choose which supplier to use when the need arises.

I recommend: Stainless steel cryogenic pumps can be purchased from Teikoku USA/Chempump. Buy a cryogenic vacuum pump from PHPK Technologies. Barber-Nichols specializes in manufacturing cryo vacuum pumps.

Secure the services of a repair company for your high pressure cryogenic liquid pumps

Once you have found your cryogenic pump suppliers, make sure you locate a business that will service your high pressure cryogenic pumps in the event of an equipment failure. Look for a business that does emergency repairs as well as one that has a same day pump exchange so that you can get back up and running quickly.

I recommend: Austin Scientific is one of the Cryogenic Pump Manufacturers that also repairs all brands of cryo pumps and offer fully warranted refurbishment. FMG Enterprises offers emergency service within hours and a same day pump exchange. Cryogenic Industries has service and repair centers throughout the United States.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  There are lots of options when attempting to ascertain which high pressure cryogenic pumps you should buy. Consider hiring a cryogenic consulting company that can evaluate your existing processes and can offer you new solutions.