Cryogenic Fluids

Reference data and engineering information about cryogenic fluids for miscellaneous applications.

cryogenicfluids

Overview

Engineering reference data for Cryogenic Fluids in miscellaneous.

Key Formulas

Unit Conversion

$y = x \cdot k$

Multiply by conversion factor.

Linear Interpolation

$y = y_1 + \frac{(x - x_1)(y_2 - y_1)}{x_2 - x_1}$

Estimate between two known points.

Percentage

$p = \frac{\text{part}}{\text{whole}} \times 100\%$

Part as fraction of whole.

Variables

Symbol	Description	Unit
$x$	Input value	—
$y$	Output value	—
$k$	Conversion factor	—

The following table presents key physical properties of common cryogenic fluids used in industrial applications. These fluids are handled at extremely low temperatures, typically between -150°F to -450°F.

8 rows

Physical properties of common cryogenic fluids at normal temperature and pressure (NPT: 14.696 psia, 70°F)
Property	Helium	Hydrogen	Methane	Nitrogen	Oxygen	Fluorine
Formula	He	H₂	CH₄	N₂	O₂	F₂
Density at NPT (lb/ft³)	0.0103	0.0052	0.0415	0.0724	0.0827	0.0982
Boiling Point at 1 atm (°F)	-452.1	-423.2	-258.2	-320.4	-297.4	-306.6
Vapor Density at Boiling Point (lb/ft³)	1.06	0.084	0.111	0.288	0.296	—
Liquid Density at Boiling Point (lb/ft³)	7.62	4.37	26.46	50.41	71.27	94.2
Heat of Vaporization (Btu/lb)	8.8	193	219.2	85.2	91.7	74.1
Critical Temperature (°F)	-450.3	-400.3	-116.5	-232.8	-181.1	-200.2
Critical Pressure (psia)	33.2	187.7	673.1	492.3	736.9	808.3

Source: engineeringtoolbox.com

Unit Conversions

Standard conversion factors for cryogenic fluid calculations:

From	To	Conversion Factor
lb/ft³	kg/m³	*16.018
psi	Pa	*6894.8
Btu/lb	J/kg	*2326

Key Observations

Lowest boiling point: Helium at -452.1°F — the coldest commonly used cryogenic fluid
Highest liquid density: Fluorine (F₂) at 94.2 lb/ft³ — significantly denser than other cryogens
Highest heat of vaporization: Methane (CH₄) at 219.2 Btu/lb — requires the most energy to vaporize
Lowest critical pressure: Helium at 33.2 psia — approaches supercritical conditions at very low pressures

Cryogenic Fluids

Overview

Key Formulas

Unit Conversion

Linear Interpolation

Percentage

Variables

Cryogenic Fluid Properties

Unit Conversions

Key Observations

Interactive Charts

Flowmeter - Accuracy

References