Vaporizers are large heat exchangers.

Industrial gases can be delivered and stored as cryogenic liquids or gases. For applications requiring larger, consistent gas supply, Air Products installs cryogenic storage systems. Vaporizers are used to convert the liquid product from the storage tank into gas.

Ambient air vaporizers are most common. They take heat from the surrounding air and transfer it to liquid product flowing through its coils.

Other vaporizer types are available for processes that require more product flow than an ambient vaporizer can provide. Alternatives include fan ambient, electric, steam and water vaporizers.

Vaporizer Ice
If you inspect a working vaporizer, you might notice ice on some of its surfaces. This is normal and usually no cause for concern. As the vaporizer operates, air close to the fins is cooled. This temperature drop condenses water vapor from the air. As moisture collects on the fins, it may form ice.

Icing Heaviest
Icing is typically heaviest when the air temperature is between 32°F and 40°F and there is high humidity. The rate of icing decreases as air temperature falls below 32°F. This happens because the colder air holds less moisture.

Dripping Liquid
During periods when the process is not drawing product and the vaporizer is not operating, it is normal to see liquid dripping from system piping and vaporizer surfaces. In most cases, the liquid is water from melting ice.

Ice Buildup Problems
Although ice on the fins does reduce heat exchanger efficiency, a well-designed vaporizer can still function properly as long as some fins remain ice-free. You should be concerned about vaporizer icing only if you observe any of the following conditions:

• Ice covers all of the vaporizer's surfaces.
• Ice extends downward from the vaporizer far enough to come into contact with the concrete pad.
• Ice extends outward from the vaporizer far enough to come into contact with any other part of the system.

Do not try to remove the ice yourself. Vaporizer ice is extremely cold and can cause cryogenic burns. In addition, hammering or chiseling the ice could damage the system.