Inexpensive method of fabricating cryostats uses polyurethane, super insulation, fiber glass, and cardboard/plywood. Cryostat weighs 1/10 of Dewar, occupies about same volume, is easy to handle, requires no metal parts, and can be formed into virtually any configuration

Bronson, J. C.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

St
Etc) 
Fiberglass 
Insulation
 
(Cardboard. Plywood. Etc) 
laboratories, schools, commercial processors, and food 
handlers. 
Note: 
Inquiries concerning this innovation may be directed 
to:
October 1970	 Brief 70-10592 
ally C
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the research and development program of the U.S. AEC or 
from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to enàourage commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a 
subscription basis from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual 
copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may be directed to the Technology Utilization Division, NASA, Code 
UT, Washington, D.C. 20546.
The Low-Cost Cryostat 
The problem: 
To develop an inexpensive method of fabricating 
cryostats. Extremely cold materials such as liquid 
hydrogen or nitrogen are frequently stored for several 
weeks in vacuum-jacketed containers (dewars) which 
are expensive. Where less storage time is required, 
cryostats (dewars without vacuum jackets) are used, 
but they cannot be purchased, and the cost of making 
them is high. 
.	 The solution: 
Fabrication of cryostats using commonly available 
materials. 
How it's done: 
An inexpensive method of fabricating cryostats 
has been developed utilizing the materials shown in 
the figure. Whereas a 50 liter dewar costs about $150, 
an equal capacity cryostat can be constructed for 
about $10, excluding labor. The more efficient dewar 
will hold liquid nitrogen for 3 weeks, while the cryostat 
provides 1 week storage which is usually enough time 
to conduct experiments of process materials. The cry-
ostat will hold liquid hydrogen for 1 day. 
In addition to the cost advantage, the cryostat 
weights 1/10 of the dewar, and occupies about the 
same volume, is easy to handle, requires no metal 
parts, and can be formed into virtually any configura-
tion. The materials can be purchased readily and 
assembled with little skill. The polyurethane layer 
can be poured in place (requiring an outer form), or 
jet-foamed. A satisfactory lid can be cut from sheet 
polyurethane. 
A number of small and medium size cryostats have 
been in service for several years. One 300-gallon unit 
has also been fabricated. This technique should be of 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic
	 liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per-
	 method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights.
Technology Utilization Officer 
AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Washington, D.C. 20545 
interest to a wiuc variety oi cryogen users Inducing
	 Reference: B70-10592 •
(continued overleaf)
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000573 2020-03-17T00:38:27+00:00Z
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by AEC or NASA.
Source: John C. Bronson of
Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
under contract to

Space Nuclear Propulsion Office

(NUC-1 1034)
. 
Brief 70-10592	 Category 03


The low-cost cryostat

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