Liquid Nitrogen Tank Questions

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Mueller Show Cattle

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2010
Messages
621
Location
Glenrock, Wyoming
I have an older MVE 20/20 tank, probably 10 years old (20 liter tank) that I have been using for almost 5 years now, bought it used but is still working great, I have been refilling it about every 4 months (120 days or so) to be on the safe side. Well I forgot about it for a little and almost went 150 days on this last refill this morning. I measured the liquid nitrogen level before I had it filled and it showed 9MM on the MVE measure stick. That concerned me a little as it is normally around 15 MM when I have it filled but I also went about 30 days longer on accident. It did not have much vapor coming out of it when I opened it this morning to measure it, but it was also 0 degrees outside in the shop where I store the tank, I store it on a wood pallet in a dark corner of the shop away from sun light. I don't have any manual or anything on the tank cause I bought it used years ago. So I figured I would ask, I know you can't run the tank dry or you will kill all the semen/embryos. For anyone that has been using them awhile or knows what is the recommended level to not go below to keep the semen safe from thawing? Cause I have a couple canisters that have full canes with semen in the upper goblet, so I expect that semen to be above the level nitrogen level when the tank starts getting lower. So I am just trying to find out a recommended level on when you are suppose to refill it, I would guess that even at 9MM still in the tank that it should have been plenty cold enough to keep the semen frozen in the upper goblets in those canes? We don't have anyone that comes around here to fill tanks on a schedule that I am aware of, so I just am trying to keep track of it and get it filled every 4 months, this 9MM is the lowest it has ever been since I have owned the tank. So any advice or information is appreciated. Thanks
 

bigby535

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Messages
23
If there was liquid in it, it should be fine.  Semen doesn't have to covered with LN.  You're right your lack of vapor when you opened it is due to your low air temp.
 

husker1

Well-known member
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
494
Location
Nebraska
Do some snooping....I'd sure think that you could find someone that runs a route and fills tanks.  There are probably 6 guys in my area that do routes.

I agree, 9 cm's should be no issue...all should be fine still, but sure time to get it filled now.
 

Cryotechy

Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2013
Messages
19
If your tank is not holding LN2 for the length of time it should, let me know.  The company I am with specializes in the service and repair LN2 dewars.  We do it all here - leak check, re-evacuation, neck tube repairs, etc.  Call me if you have some questions. 

Breanna Dyer
1-800-279-6832
Cryotec, Inc.
 
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