Frequent Asked Questions - Nitrogen Liquefier

What does the elan2 system do?

The elan2 liquid nitrogen generator generates liquid nitrogen from the air, at a rate of approximately 6 liters(L) per 24 hour period. The air we breathe is approximately 78% nitrogen gas - it makes sense to use that as an inexpensive and renewable source of liquid nitrogen.
How does the elan2 create liquid nitrogen?

Air is pulled into an external air compressor and compressed to100 PSI, and the water vapor is removed. The slightly pressurized air is then fed into the main elan2 Liquid Nitrogen Generator System. Other contaminants are removed through a series of filters and membranes leaving just nitrogen gas. The oxygen and other gases are returned to the room.


The nitrogen is then liquefied through a two step process - a special Kleemenko cycle based refrigeration system is used to cool down the air to a specific temperature. Once at this temperature, the cool and pressurized nitrogen gas is reduced in pressure, resulting in liquefaction through a process called the Joule Thomson Effect. The liquid nitrogen is transferred to the internal storage container, ready to deliver on-demand when needed.

 

Air is pulled into an external air compressor and compressed to100 PSI, and the water vapor is removed. The slightly pressurized air is then fed into the main elan2 Liquid Nitrogen Generator System. Other contaminants are removed through a series of filters and membranes leaving just nitrogen gas. The oxygen and other gases are returned to the room.


The nitrogen is then liquefied through a two step process - a special Kleemenko cycle based refrigeration system is used to cool down the air to a specific temperature. Once at this temperature, the cool and pressurized nitrogen gas is reduced in pressure, resulting in liquefaction through a process called the Joule Thomson Effect. The liquid nitrogen is transferred to the internal storage container, ready to deliver on-demand when needed.
What is the difference between the Office Generator and the Autotransfer Station?

The Office Generator has an internal reservoir that can hold approximately 1 liter of liquid nitrogen. Once this tank is full, the system goes into a standby mode until some or all of the liquid nitrogen has been used or evaporated off. At this point, the elan2 will power up and start production again. It will take approximately 3 to 4 hours to fill the internal reservoir once the instrument is at the cooling temperature.

The Autotransfer Station produces liquid nitrogen at the rateapproximately 6 liters every 24 hours, but continuously transfers this to a large external 20 liter tank. It takes approximately 3.5 days to fill this tank. When you need larger volumes of liquid nitrogen at a time, this is the ideal set up - you can take what you need from the larger tank, and then continue production.

We do not have a system that has a larger generation capacity than the Autotransfer Station.

 

How quickly does the elan2 generate liquid nitrogen?

How quickly does the elan2 generate liquid nitrogen? The elan2 systems can generate liquid nitrogen approximately 8 liters of liquid nitrogen every 24 hour period.

Note:

This equates to filling approximately 2 and 4 CryAcs every 4 hours, depending on the size of the Cry-Ac and the temperature of the Cry-Ac. Warm Cry-Acs will waste a small amount of liquid nitrogen cooling down the metal as the LN2 is dispensed into the Cry-Ac. This will result in the availability of a little less LN2 for usage, and less full Cry-Acs.
What is the warranty on the instrument?

This instrument has a two year warranty. If you would like information on our standard warranty terms, please contact us, and we would be happy to provide you with this agreement. Extended service contracts are available for purchase, as long as the elan2 system is currently under warranty or service contract. Information on what is included in these contracts and costs can be found on the website or by contacting the sales team.

 

 

What maintenance is required?

The elan2digital maintains itself and automatically carries out a self cleaning cycle if the production rate or efficiency decreases. Each cleaning cycle takes the elan2 system down from production for roughly 4 hours.

In times when humidity or temperature go outside of the recommended operating environment for extended periods of time, or if the system has had to shut down or be unplugged due to electrical storms, etc - a cleaning cycle begins automatically as a precaution.

In all cases the elan2digital will detect and automatically clean the clogging caused by excess moisture, the owner will be alerted should the cleaning process fail or if the environment is too hot or humid.

A filter needs to be changed on the elan2 system regularly. The frequency depends upon the dust levels in the environment surrounding the system. Typically, filters are replaced once every 1-3months. Contact the sales team for additional filters when needed.

The air compressor has moving un-lubricated parts. If the system is used continuously it will be necessary to service the air compressor at the factory every 24-36 months. An air compressor exchange program exists so that production downtime is minimized.
How large is the elan2?

The elan2 Office Liquid Nitrogen Generate is composed of two parts: the Generator and the Air Compressor.

Compressor: 17.5" wide x 17.5" deep x 15" high
(45 cm wide x 45 cm deep x 38 cm high)
Generator: 13� wide x 13� deep x 37� high
(33 cm wide x 33 cm deep x 94 cm high)
The generator can easily sit on top of the compressor, making the footprint for the system smaller.

The elan2 Liquid Nitrogen Autotransfer Station is composed of three parts: The Generator, the Air Compressor, and the scale with 20L transfer dewar.

Compressor: 17.5� wide x 17.5� deep x 15� high
(45 cm wide x 45 cm deep x 38 cm high)
Autotransfer Station: 14.5" wide x 15" deep x 37" high
(37 cm wide x 38cm deep x 94 cm high)
The compressor can be located anywhere within a 15 foot (4.5 meter) distance of the Autotransfer Station.
20L Collection Dewar and Scale: 14.5" wide x 14.5" deep x 37" high
(37 cm wide x 37 cm deep x 94 cm high)
The 20L collection dewar and scale must be located on the right side (when facing the system) of the elan2 Liquid Nitrogen Generator system.

More detailed information on the spatial facilities requirements of these systems can be found in the Facilities Requirement Documents.

Autotransfer Station Facility RequirementsDownload PDF

Office Facility RequirementsDownload PDF

 

What do I need to operate the elan2?

You need two things to operate the elan2:

1. Standard electricity from a wall outlet: 2 to 3 outlets depending on the system
(Note: It is recommended this is not on the same circuit as other heavy equipment like lasers, sanitizers, autoclaves, etc.)

2. Good airflow in the room the elan2 is installed.
(Note: These may not be installed in a small closer or storage room where there is not good air flow. The elan2 uses the nitrogen from the air to produce liquid nitrogen. An inadequate air supply, like that found in a small closet, could result in damage to the instrument, not covered under warranty.

3. The room the �lan2 is in must meet the following requirements:
  a. Room temperature may not exceed 25 C (77 F).
  b. The room should be free of dust and exhaust from other instrumentation.
  c. The room should be free of volatile organic compounds or the storage of cleaning products.
  d. The room should be of low humidity.

More detailed information on the all facilities requirements of these systems can be found in the Facilities Requirement Documents.

 
How is this system safer than the liquid nitrogen I have delivered?

There are three tiers of safety built into the elan2 liquid nitrogen generator, for the safety of you and your staff:

  1. Liquid nitrogen is available only when you push a button. There is no automatic delivery of this to your container. The liquid nitrogen will only dispense as long as you hold the button down.
  2. The system has a key � if the key is not placed in the system and turned to the on position, no liquid nitrogen will be transferred, even if you push the button. This allows you to control who has access.
  3. Liquid nitrogen cannot be dispensed unless there is an RFID tagged container placed below the delivery spout. This tag will unlock the dispensing mechanism and enable transfer. This way there is no possibility of accidentally pressing the button and letting the liquid nitrogen dispense with no container present.

 

 

How is this liquid nitrogen better or different from medical grade liquid nitrogen?

There is really no such thing as medical grade liquid nitrogen. The only difference between medical grade liquid nitrogen sold and regular liquid nitrogen is the label placed on the bottle and the price. At this time the FDA does not have any regulations at all on liquid nitrogen - it is not a monitored or certified product. This means there is no “medical grade”.

The liquid nitrogen you have delivered is approximately 98% pure, but it frequently has additional particulate matter and water that are picked up when it is transferred several times between where it is generated and delivery to your office.

The liquid nitrogen from the elan2 is 98% pure, and you are in control of the nitrogen from the time it is generated - ensuring minimal water or contamination between the time you get what you need and use it. The 2% impurity is oxygen that cannot be readily removed from the liquid nitrogen. It is not dangerous - being of small quanitities and integrated with the LN2.
What is the cost per liter of liquid nitrogen generated?

The cost of operating the elan2 varies based on the cost of electricity, but the typical cost in electricity in approximately the same as a refrigerator or freezer.
How noisy is the elan2 Liquid Nitrogen Generator?

The elan2 system has an air compressor as part of the instrument. This means there is a constant level of noise from the system. The system is specified to be less than 75 dBa at 1 meter distance.

The accoustics in the room that it is installed in do have a tremendous affect on the relative noise output.

It is not recommended that this instrument be placed in an office or next to where people are on the telephone routinely as it may be distracting. It is difficult to give an absolute description of the noise as it largely depends on the acoustics of the room in which it is installed - but an approximation would be a little louder than an older window air conditioning unit.

 

Who uses these systems?

These liquid nitrogen generators are found in dermatology offices, government and military medical centers, research facilities, and scientific laboratories. There are even people that have purchased these for use in their hobby workrooms for craft projects like making knives or cooling homemade super computers.
Where are these systems being sold?

Currently, these systems are available in multiple countries. Please refer to the Contact Us section for more information on resellers in your area.

If you are from somewhere outside of these areas, please feel free to contact us to be placed on a list to be notified when we can sell to your area.