L3-CRY-LN2-RES
ESSENTIAL
PRESERVATION
Level 3 · hardware
LN2 Reservoir Tank
Liquid Nitrogen Reserve Storage Vessel
Reserve tank storing surplus LN2 produced by cryocoolers for thermal inertia buffering
Purpose
Reserve tank storing surplus LN2 produced by cryocoolers for thermal inertia buffering
Context
Child of L2-CRY-LN2
Principles
- ▸Reserve provides thermal mass buffer during cryocooler maintenance or temporary failure
- ▸Vacuum-jacketed vessel maintains LN2 quality during storage
- ▸Level monitoring enables proactive reserve replenishment scheduling
- ▸Overflow and pressure relief protect against overfilling or pressure buildup
Typical implementations
- ▸Chart Industries MVE Variō cryogenic storage vessels
- ▸Taylor-Wharton LN2 storage dewars
- ▸Worthington Industries cryogenic vessels
Lunar considerations
- ▸Reserve volume sized for cooling gap during cryocooler switchover (~hours)
- ▸LN2 production depends on ISRU nitrogen and cryocooler capacity
- ▸Reserve tank must be positioned for gravity-assisted delivery to main storage
Specifications
Functional
| primary function | Reserve tank storing surplus LN2 produced by cryocoolers for thermal inertia buffering |
Physical
| materials | 304L stainless steel vessel, MLI vacuum insulation, Safety relief valve |
Interfaces
Provides
- LN2 supply for circulation system
Requires
- Fresh LN2 from nitrogen liquefaction
Cite this entry
Lunar Ark Codex. "LN2 Reservoir Tank" (L3-CRY-LN2-RES). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://lunarark.com/entry/L3-CRY-LN2-RES
Licensed CC-BY-SA 4.0. You may reuse and adapt this entry with attribution, under the same licence.