Making Liquid Nitrogen at Home: Have You Tried It Yet?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the process of making liquid nitrogen (LN2) at home without a prepackaged cooling device, specifically using a homemade Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) system for nitrogen generation. The creator has successfully achieved temperatures of -320°F in approximately 40 minutes and produced around 300cc of LN2 in one hour. A web tutorial is in development to guide others through the process, detailing parts and sources for building the generator. The creator encourages feedback and suggestions for additional content in the tutorial.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology
  • Basic knowledge of cryogenic processes
  • Familiarity with dewar design and usage
  • Experience in DIY projects and safety protocols for handling cryogenic materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the design and construction of homemade Pressure Swing Adsorption systems
  • Learn about cryogenic safety measures and handling techniques
  • Explore the principles of thermodynamics related to cryogenic cooling
  • Investigate the efficiency of different dewar designs for liquid nitrogen storage
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for DIY enthusiasts, cryogenics hobbyists, and individuals interested in home laboratory setups, particularly those looking to produce and utilize liquid nitrogen safely and effectively.

imsmooth
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A while ago I had asked if anyone ever made liquid nitrogen from scratch without using a prepackaged cooling device (cryocooler). Well, I've done it. I'm working on a web tutorial and better video footage. For those who wish to make suggestions on what you would like to see I am submitting these links. I will try to accommodate requests since I am still working on it.

I can reach -320F in a little over an hour from ambient pressure. I still have to calculate my production rate.

Here is the tutorial which is still in development:
http://homemadeliquidnitrogen.com

Here is one of the videos after a 1:15 hour run


I use a homemade PSA for my nitrogen source, which is limitless. The tutorial will give all the parts and sources for making the generator in your own garage.
 
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Nice job!

From the video, it looks like the LN2 was still cooling the dewar inner wall at the end. Once the dewar has cooled down and the LN2 stops boiling, your production rate might go up.

Thanks for posting.
 
I have continued work on the website tutorial. I would like to solicit comments as this is a work in progress. If something is unclear so far, or you would like to see something added about the design please let me know. I will add video links soon.

So far I can cool down to -320F from 36F in 40 minutes. My last run produced about 300cc of LN2 in one hour.
 

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