Early detection of impending cryostorage tank failure using a weight-based monitoring system

Abstract

ObjectTo study the ability of custom-built, web-enabled scales to monitor liquid nitrogen (LN2) levels in cryostorage dewars.\n\nDesignLaboratory study\n\nSettingA large academic fertility center in New York City.\n\nInterventionsCryostorage dewars were placed on top of the custom-engineered scales with continuous real-time monitoring, and weight and temperature data were recorded in the setting of slow, medium, and fast rate-loss of LN2 designed to mimic models of tank failures.\n\nMain Outcome MeasuresWeights were continuously monitored and recorded, with a calculated alarm trigger set at 10% weight loss. Temperature within the tanks was simultaneously monitored with probes placed near the top of the tanks, with calculated alarms using a -185 {degrees}C as the threshold. For the \"slow rate-loss\" simulations, tanks were left intact and closed in usual operating conditions, and LN2 was allowed to evaporate at the normal rate. For the \"medium rate-loss\" simulation, the foam core of the tank neck was removed and the insulating vacuum was eliminated by making a 1/16 inch hole in the outer tank wall. For the \"fast rate-loss\" simulation, a 1/16\" hole was made through the outer tank wall and LN2 was released at a rate of 0.15 L/second. All simulations were performed in duplicate.\n\nResultsWith an intact and normally functioning tank, a 10% loss in LN2 occurred in 4.2-4.9 days. Warming to -185 {degrees}C occurred in 37.8 - 43.7 days, over 30 days after the weight-based alarm was triggered. Full evaporation of LN2required 36.8 days. For the medium rate-loss simulation, a 10% loss in LN2 occurred in 0.8 h. Warming to -185 {degrees}C occurred in 3.7 - 4.8 hours, approximately 3 hours after the weight-based alarm was triggered. For the fast rate-loss simulation, a 10% weight loss occurred within 15 seconds and tanks were completely depleted in under 3 minutes. Tank temperatures began to rise immediately and at a relatively constant rate of 43.9 {degrees}C/hour and 51.6 {degrees}C/hour. Temperature alarms would have sounded within 0.37 and 0.06 hours after the breech.\n\nConclusionsThis study demonstrates that a weight-based, automated alarm system can detect tank failures prior to a temperature-based alarm system, in some cases over a month in advance. In combination with existing safety mechanisms such as temperature probes, a weight-based monitoring system could serve as a redundant safety mechanism for added protection of cryopreserved reproductive tissues.