Air Liquide GT Series Large-Capacity Liquid Nitrogen Storage Dewars

Overview

The Air Liquide GT Series Large-Capacity Liquid Nitrogen Storage Dewars are engineered for reliable, long-term cryogenic preservation of biological samples—including vials, straws, tubes, and cryoboxes—at –196°C. Based on validated vacuum-insulated double-walled stainless steel construction, the GT series employs a high-efficiency thermal barrier system comprising multi-layer reflective insulation, a high-vacuum interstitial space, and a low-conductivity resin neck seal. This architecture minimizes heat influx and suppresses liquid nitrogen boil-off—enabling static hold times exceeding 21 days for the GT14/6 model under standard laboratory conditions (20°C ambient, 50% RH). Designed and manufactured in France under Air Liquide’s global quality framework, each GT dewar undergoes individual vacuum integrity testing and thermal performance validation prior to shipment. The series supports both passive storage and integration with optional digital monitoring systems for continuous temperature and liquid level surveillance—aligning with GLP-compliant biobanking workflows.

Key Features

• Vacuum-insulated stainless steel inner vessel (AISI 304) with electropolished interior surface for corrosion resistance and ease of decontamination
• Anodized aluminum alloy outer shell—lightweight (~12.5 kg empty for GT14/6), impact-resistant, and non-magnetic
• Resin-based neck tube assembly with optimized thermal resistance and mechanical stability during repeated cryo-access operations
• Integrated ergonomic handle and reinforced base ring for safe manual handling and stacking compatibility
• Standard 50 mm neck opening compatible with universal cryo-accessories (e.g., sample racks, canes, auto-fill adapters)
• Factory-certified ADR/RID/IATA compliance for ground, rail, and air transport of UN1977 cryogenic liquids

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The GT14/6 accommodates up to 1,280 standard 2 mL cryovials (using 10 × 10 × 12 configuration in metal or polypropylene canes) or up to 1,920 0.5 mL straws (with 10 × 12 × 16 arrangement). Its standardized geometry supports interoperability with automated storage systems and robotic handlers. All GT series dewars conform to ISO 9001:2000 quality management requirements and undergo full traceability documentation per batch—including vacuum decay test reports and material certification for inner vessel welds. For regulated environments, the GT platform is compatible with Air Liquide’s NATAL™ data logging system, which provides time-stamped, encrypted records of liquid nitrogen level and vapor-phase temperature—meeting audit requirements under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 when deployed with appropriate access controls and electronic signature protocols.

Software & Data Management

While the GT14/6 operates as a passive storage device, it integrates seamlessly with Air Liquide’s NATAL™ (Nitrogen And Temperature Acquisition Logger) ecosystem. NATAL enables real-time monitoring via wireless ultrasonic liquid level sensors and Pt100 vapor-phase temperature probes, transmitting data to a local gateway or cloud-hosted dashboard. Logged parameters include fill level (% capacity), estimated hold time, cumulative LN₂ consumption, and thermal excursion alerts. Data exports comply with CSV and PDF formats; audit trails support GLP/GMP documentation standards—including user action logs, calibration history, and system integrity verification timestamps. Firmware updates and configuration management are performed via secure HTTPS interface with role-based authentication.

Applications

• Long-term archival storage of primary cell lines, stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in academic and contract research organizations
• Cryo-preservation of clinical-grade tissues, oocytes, and embryos in IVF and fertility clinics operating under ESHRE or ASRM guidelines
• Stable storage of reference standards, biobanked serum/plasma aliquots, and nucleic acid libraries in diagnostic laboratories
• Backup storage for ultra-low temperature freezers (–80°C) in pharmaceutical QC labs to mitigate equipment failure risk
• Transportable cold chain nodes for decentralized biorepositories participating in international collaborative studies (e.g., BBMRI-ERIC)

FAQ

What is the typical static hold time for the GT14/6 at room temperature?
Under ISO 23551 ambient conditions (20°C, 50% RH), the GT14/6 maintains full liquid nitrogen capacity for ≥21 days without refilling.
Can the GT14/6 be used for vapor-phase storage only?
Yes—the dewar supports both liquid-phase immersion and vapor-phase storage configurations, with consistent thermal stability across the upper 10 cm of the vapor zone (±0.5°C uniformity).
Are replacement parts and accessories available globally?
All GT-series components—including neck plugs, cane holders, aluminum sample racks, and NATAL sensor kits—are stocked by Air Liquide’s authorized distribution network across EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Does the GT series support integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS)?
NATAL-generated data streams can be exported via RESTful API or scheduled file transfer to third-party LIMS platforms supporting HL7 or ASTM E1384 standards.
What documentation accompanies each GT dewar upon delivery?
Each unit ships with a Certificate of Conformance (CoC), vacuum integrity test report, material traceability sheet, and IATA transport documentation—fully aligned with EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) and CLP classification requirements.