Cryogenic Equipment
KAF Cryogenics is the specialized cryogenic equipment business of KAF Industries, covering equipment sales, service and rental solutions for cryogenic operations.
We help gas producers, distributors and industrial users find the right cryogenic equipment for their operation. Our team analyzes operational and technical requirements first, then proposes the equipment and supply structure that fits, whether that means a new tank, a refurbished pre-owned unit or a rental solution.
Main activities
New Cryogenic Equipment
Sales of new cryogenic tanks and related equipment, matched to the customer's capacity, pressure and application requirements.
Pre-Owned Cryogenic Equipment
Carefully evaluated second-hand cryogenic tanks and equipment, offering a cost-effective alternative where project economics matter.
Repair, Maintenance & Refurbishment
Repair, maintenance and modification services that extend equipment life and keep cryogenic assets operating safely and efficiently.
Rental Services
Flexible rental solutions for cryogenic tanks, trailers and ISO containers, supporting temporary capacity needs and project-based operations.
Dedicated cryogenic operations
Dedicated cryogenic operations and detailed equipment information are available through the KAF Cryogenics website.
Scope of our cryogenic equipment work
KAF Cryogenics sources, supplies and supports the equipment used to store, transport and vaporise liquefied industrial gases. KAF Industries is a trading and sourcing company rather than a manufacturer, so our value sits in three places: specifying the correct unit for your process, verifying the condition and documentation of that unit before it ships, and managing delivery and customs to your site.
A typical enquiry covers vacuum insulated storage tanks for liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon or carbon dioxide, ambient air vaporisers sized to the withdrawal rate, cryogenic pumps, ISO tank containers, road trailers, dewars and the spare parts that keep an existing installation running. We work with established manufacturers and refurbishment workshops in Europe and Asia, which lets us present new, pre-owned and rental options side by side instead of pushing a single supplier.
That choice matters commercially. A new tank is the right answer when the consumption profile is stable and the asset will run for a decade. A refurbished unit or a rental agreement is often the better answer when capacity is needed for a specific project, when a plant is being commissioned, or when capital expenditure is constrained and the requirement may change within a few years.
Typical equipment parameters
The ranges below cover the equipment we quote most frequently. They are a starting point for scoping a requirement, not a fixed catalogue, and the final specification is always confirmed against your own process data.
| Parameter | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Stored media | Liquid nitrogen, oxygen and argon, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and LNG |
| Storage capacity | 3 m³ to 100 m³ for vertical and horizontal vacuum insulated tanks |
| Design pressure | 16 bar to 37 bar depending on the medium and the withdrawal pressure required |
| Insulation | Perlite or multilayer insulation under high vacuum |
| Static evaporation rate | Approximately 0.15% to 0.40% per day, decreasing as tank capacity increases |
| Vaporiser capacity | 50 Nm³/h to 6,000 Nm³/h for ambient air vaporisers |
| Transport equipment | ISO tank containers in T75 configuration, semi trailers, dewars from 50 to 500 litres |
| Applicable codes | EN 13458, PED 2014/68/EU, ASME VIII Division 1, and ADR for mobile units |
Ranges are indicative and vary between manufacturers. Design pressure, insulation performance and certification requirements are confirmed against your process data and the regulations applying at the installation site.
How a cryogenic equipment project runs
Most projects follow the same sequence. The early steps carry the most value, because a tank sized against an inaccurate consumption profile stays wrong for its entire service life.
- 1
Requirement analysis
We start with the medium, the average and peak consumption, the pressure needed at the point of use, and the physical and regulatory constraints of the site.
- 2
Technical specification
Tank capacity, design pressure and vaporiser duty are sized against that profile, then written into a datasheet that suppliers can quote against on equal terms.
- 3
Sourcing and commercial options
We collect offers for new, pre-owned and rental routes, and compare them on delivered cost, lead time and expected service life rather than on headline price alone.
- 4
Inspection and documentation
Material certificates, pressure test records and vacuum readings are checked before shipment. Pre-owned units additionally receive a condition report covering the inner vessel, valves and insulation.
- 5
Logistics and customs
We agree the Incoterms rule, arrange transport including oversize permits where needed, and prepare the export and import documentation for the destination country.
- 6
Installation support and after sales
We coordinate installation supervision and commissioning with the supplier, and keep the spare parts and service channel open once the unit is operating.
Where this equipment is used
Cryogenic storage and vaporisation equipment sits behind a wide range of industrial processes. These are the sectors we quote for most often.
Gas producers and distributors
Bulk storage at filling plants and depots, transport equipment for distribution fleets, and additional capacity during seasonal demand peaks.
Hospitals and healthcare
Medical oxygen storage with the redundancy and documentation that healthcare installations require, including backup supply arrangements.
Food and beverage
Carbon dioxide for carbonation and modified atmosphere packaging, and liquid nitrogen for freezing tunnels and cryogenic chilling.
Metal fabrication
Oxygen for cutting and furnace applications, and argon or argon mixtures for shielding in welding operations.
Electronics and laboratories
High purity nitrogen for inert atmospheres, and smaller dewar based supply where consumption is low but purity requirements are strict.
Energy and LNG
Storage and transport equipment for small scale LNG distribution and for industrial users converting away from liquid fuels.
Frequently asked questions
Do you manufacture cryogenic tanks yourselves?
No. KAF Industries is an industrial trading and sourcing company. We source equipment from established manufacturers and refurbishment workshops, and our role is specification, supplier selection, inspection, documentation and delivery. We tell customers this openly, because it also means we are not tied to one factory's product range.
Should we buy new or pre-owned equipment?
It depends on how long the requirement will last and how stable it is. New equipment usually makes sense for a stable, long term consumption profile. A refurbished unit can cut the delivered cost significantly where the payback period is short or the requirement may change within a few years. We normally quote both so the comparison is visible.
What are typical lead times?
New vacuum insulated tanks are commonly in the range of twelve to twenty weeks depending on the manufacturer's order book and the specification. Pre-owned units can usually ship within two to six weeks once inspection is complete. Rental equipment is generally the fastest route when capacity is needed quickly.
Do you offer rental instead of purchase?
Yes. Tanks, trailers and ISO containers can be supplied on a rental basis, which suits temporary capacity needs, plant commissioning periods and project based operations where committing capital is not practical.
What information do you need to prepare a quotation?
The medium, average and peak consumption, the required pressure at the point of use, the available space and foundation at the site, and the country of installation so that the applicable pressure equipment regulations can be identified.
Can you handle transport and customs clearance?
Yes. We agree an Incoterms 2020 rule with you, arrange transport including any special permits for oversize loads, and prepare the export documentation. Import clearance can be handled by your own broker or coordinated through our network.
Articles on this topic
- Used Cryogenic Storage Tank Buying Checklist: 10 Key PointsBuying a used cryogenic storage tank? Check vacuum condition, pressure rating, evaporation rate and 7 more points before you commit to a purchase.
- Cryogenic Tank Rental or Purchase: Making the Right ChoiceCryogenic tank rental or buying? Compare project length, cash flow, maintenance and balance sheet impact to pick the right model for your gas supply.
- Cryogenic Tank Vacuum Loss: Signs, Risks and Repair OptionsFrost on the shell, rising boil-off and pressure creep signal cryogenic tank vacuum loss. Learn the diagnosis steps and how vacuum re-insulation works.
- Liquid Oxygen Storage Tank Price: 7 Factors That Decide ItWhat drives a liquid oxygen storage tank price? Capacity, pressure rating, new vs used, materials, boil-off, accessories and logistics explained.
Sizing a tank, or weighing rental against purchase?
Send the gas, the consumption profile and the date you need capacity on site, and we will price new, refurbished and rental options against the same requirement so the comparison is real.
Request an equipment quote