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Technologies and solutions for a low-carbon hydrogen future.

Join Gardner Cryogenics (Stand #110) at the Hydrogen Technology Expo – North America in Houston, Texas on June 28-29.

How can the necessary infrastructure for distributing and using liquid hydrogen be developed? Join Ravi Subramanian, Business & Technology Director – Gardner Cryogenics, and other Panelists for this discussion on Day 2 (June 29) from 12:05 – 12:45PM. Learn more.

Ravi Subramanian has global responsibility for Gardner Cryogenics equipment sales, business development, innovation and engineering. He joined Gardner Cryogenics in 1995 as design engineer and has held numerous roles within the organization and its parent company. He transitioned to a business development role in 2010 to focus on hydrogen mobility to address hydrogen refueling station infrastructure needs. As part of the Gardner Cryogenics organization, he has been responsible for product development, securing regulatory approvals and marketing high-performance, highly reliable, long-lasting containers used for storing and transporting liquid hydrogen and liquid helium.

Gardner Cryogenics, headquartered in Bethlehem, PA, is a world leader in designing and manufacturing super insulation, vacuum and transient shield storage and transport tanks and tankers to store liquid hydrogen and liquid helium. Its products are known globally for low heat leak, long hold time, high-performance and reliability. With over five decades of experience, Gardner provides customers with industry-leading technology that enables them to cost-effectively move and store molecules with near-zero loss.

As featured in gasworld US Edition — The ability to safely transport and store hydrogen has never been more important as governments and business leaders around the world turn their attention to environmental issues like the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and look to hydrogen as a fuel and a key solution to global clean energy needs.

As a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality liquid hydrogen tanks, semi-trailers and storage containers, Gardner Cryogenics is honored to contribute to this critical undertaking.

“Gardner is proud to be on the forefront in developing equipment to safely and reliably transport and store liquid hydrogen for use in a growing number of applications,”
Ravi Subramanian, Gardner Business Manager, said. “We’ve produced more than 150 liquid hydrogen transportation tankers, with designs customized to meet a wide variety of
customers and regulatory specifications. Gardner equipment is trusted worldwide and used by all major industrial gas companies and large research laboratories.”

Like all Gardner equipment, the hydrogen transport and storage tanks are ruggedly built, assuring peak performance and long-life reliability under virtually all environmental conditions, anywhere in the world. “We take great pride in the fact that we have produced more than 2,000 liquid helium and hydrogen tanks and containers since 1973 and our first container is still in operation today,” Subramanian said. “But more than that, Gardner is proud of our reputation for providing the safest, most reliable containers and vacuum
lines for transporting and storing helium and hydrogen.”

Gardner offers a full range of superior hydrogen solutions. In fact, the company introduced the first of many of the standard tanks and semi-trailers, and portable customer stations in operation today. Gardner’s growing portfolio of products for liquid hydrogen includes static storage containers ranging from 1,500 to 30,000 gallons, and transportation containers ranging from 1,500 to 17,600 gallons, and hydrogen purifiers up to 20,000 standard cubic feet per hour.

Additionally, safe operation of containers and tanks requires proper maintenance and repair, which in turn enables maximum liquid product, extends asset life, and maintains code requirements. Trusting container maintenance and repair to a Gardner code-certified facility guarantees adherence to critical worldwide standards, including ASME, DOT, UN Portable, CSC, IMDG, ADR, and European Standards.

The expert team of engineers and technicians at Gardner leverage the experience gained from designing and manufacturing state-of-the-art helium products for customers globally and continue to push the limits by developing new and novel concepts for the growing hydrogen economy to enable customers to address challenging logistics issues, safety and regulatory demands, and manage their operational needs.

“Safety is our number one priority, and our long history of experience with hydrogen reflects this in our designs and customer support,” Subramanian said. “Recent developments include containers with innovative designs to enable the unloading of liquid hydrogen with almost no venting while ensuring all regulatory requirements are met. This allows liquid hydrogen to be safely delivered from production facilities to point of customer use. It is exciting to see these products in action and to be part of an energy solution that will define the legacy for future generations.”

Gardner Cryogenics on how it meets specific configuration requirements
By Molly Burgess

March 4, 2021—As featured in gasworld US edition

The US cryogenic tank market was estimated at $1.2bn last year with the US accounting for a 22.56% share in the global market, according to research from Research and Markets, which projects that by 2027 the global cryogenic tank market will reach a revised size of $7.9bn, growing a CAGR of 5.8%.¹

This increased demand of course comes with the need for new innovations and keeping up with customer requests, something which Pennsylvania-based Gardner Cryogenics is working around-the clock to achieve within its extensive product line.

Gardner’s story started 60 years ago, but then gained momentum when it developed new and crucial products for the cryogenics industry. Fast forward to the present day, and
the company now boasts a diverse portfolio of products for liquid helium and hydrogen with storage containers ranging from 1,500 to 45,000 gallons, and transportation containers ranging from 1,500 to 17,500 gallons. In addition to its storage and transportation tanks, Gardner also manufacturers helium and hydrogen purifiers up to 20,000 standard cubic feet per hour.

“Understanding that customers have different needs, Gardner also custom designs smaller and larger units to fit specific configuration requirements,” Ravi Subramanian, Business Manager for Gardner Cryogenics told gasworld.

“The Gardner team is focused on customer satisfaction and creating superior equipment by reaching beyond mechanical production into the realm of technical artistry, elevating our
technology into a class by itself.”

Subramanian continued, “Other Gardner innovations include the largest hydrogen semitrailer (66,245 L/17,500 gal); the most versatile UN Portable tank in 40 ft ISO frame for maximum pressure gas (175 psig) and liquid yield application; and the most reliable and highly efficient multi-line vacuum jacket piping for liquid helium distribution.”

It is such drive from the company, and its employees, that has led Gardner to achieve many industry firsts including the first 11,000-gallon tank container, the first 45-day tank container, the first portable helium customer stations, the first double shielded tank container for helium, and the first dual hydrogen/helium container. These wins have allowed Gardner to develop into the business it is today, standing as a well-respected player in its industry with a growing global footprint.

“We take great pride in the fact that we have produced more than 2,000 liquid helium and hydrogen tanks and containers since 1973 and our first container is still in operation today,”
Subramanian explained.

“But more than that, Gardner is proud of our reputation for providing the safest, most reliable containers and vacuum lines for transporting and storing helium and hydrogen.
Gardner is ISO 9001 certified and also recognized as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star participant, serving as a model for what employers, workers, and unions can achieve by working cooperatively to develop and operate excellent safety and health management programs.”

Subramanian added, “Our experienced team of diverse cryogenics specialists has internationally recognized expertise in extreme cryogenics, precision welding, insulation, and vacuum technology.”

Maintenance
As with almost any technology for any application, maintenance is key when it comes to ISO containers and semi-trailers. With tanks and trailers, maintenance lets a distributor maximize liquid product, extend asset life, and maintain container code requirements. Modifying, upgrading, vacuum reconditioning, and rehabbing a tank or trailer will also reduce total ownership cost of your fleet.

“Gardner includes quality trained technicians with a combined experience of more than 250 years, dedicated engineering support staff and dedicated independent third-party code
inspectors,” Subramanian explained. “Trusting your container maintenance and repair to a Gardner code-certified facility guarantees adherence to critical worldwide standards, including ASME, DOT, UN Portable, CSC, IMDG, ADR, and European Standards. Gardner continues to focus on new technologies to meet the global market demand for helium and hydrogen, as well as the growth in hydrogen for mobility, and has increased fabrication floor space to do so in view of meeting our customers’ global hydrogen expansion,” Subramanian continued.

As well as innovation-focused growth for 2021 and the years to come, Subramanian also told gasworld, “We have, and continue to seek, various country-specific regulatory approvals, including regulatory approvals in several Asian countries.”

“To meet the criteria for these regulatory approvals, Gardner liquid hydrogen products are designed and configured to meet the maximum payload requirements of the specific countries. Business in 2021 will be driven by our continued focus on hydrogen and helium technology and commitment to supporting our customers in these global markets. Our
focus has been and will continue to be on the hydrogen mobility market by providing the right product for storage and transportation for our customers globally.”

REFERENCE

1. www.globenewswire.com

As featured in gasworld US edition—Founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in its almost 60 years of business, Gardner Cryogenics has produced more than 1,900 cryogenic tanks, the first of which is still operational today.

Specialised in developing high-performance, high reliability, long-lasting storage tanks for the transportation of liquid helium and hydrogen molecules globally, Gardner’s team of cryogenic experts work around the clock to provide its customers with high quality products.

The company’s story began in 1961 and gained momentum in 1981 when it was acquired, giving Gardner an increased opportunity to develop crucial products for the cryogenics industry. In 1967 Gardner designed its 8,500-gallon liquid helium ISO container, and in 1973 the company went on to introduce the first 11,000-gallon ISO container, which eventually became the global industry standard for moving liquid helium molecules.

Gardner’s early product innovations are widely respected in the industry, and it’s first ever 11,000-gallon ISO tank is still in operation today and, to date, only five of the 1700-plus ISO containers manufactured by Gardner have been decommissioned.

Ravi Subramanian, Business and Product Development Manager at Gardner Cryogenics, told gasworld, “Used by all major industrial gas companies, Gardner’s 11,000-gallon 40-foot ISO container, is the world’s most economical and widely used containerised liquid helium tank. For nearly 60 years, Gardner has been focused on developing products that meet the needs of the cryogenic industry. Gardner Cryogenics is proud to support our helium customers globally by offering and enabling them to cost-effectively move and store helium with near zero loss.”

Today, Gardner Cryogenics showcases a diverse portfolio of products for liquid helium and liquid hydrogen with storage containers from 1,500 to 45,000 gallons and transportation containers ranging from 1,500 to 17,000 gallons.

“Our most popular products are the 11,000 gallon 175 psig-40 days liquid helium ISO containers and the 17,000-gallon liquid hydrogen semi-trailer,” Subramanian said.

“The 11,000 gallon 175 psig-40 days container is the ultimate ISO container, an innovation built to meet our customers’ demand for high-reliability, long-lasting and high-performance. Gardner has seen demand continue to grow in its helium segment. With new helium sources expected to be onstream in the coming year, the need for new helium ISO containers has enabled growth during the pandemic.”

Subramanian added, “Our Ultimate 11,000-gallon, 175-40 days ISO container, 91 psi 35 days dual shield technology, and 91-45 days product will support the global growth and accommodate logistic challenges to transport the molecules from source to customer site.”

A key feature that makes Gardner’s innovations highly popular throughout the market is the company’s unique technology that provides the lowest heat-leak for the highest yield when transporting, storing and transferring liquid helium and liquid hydrogen.

While Gardner’s products have served the industry for decades, it has adapted the company’s offerings to align with the latest trends.

Discussing the trends Gardner is currently seeing, Subramanian explained, “We are seeing continued demand for our liquid helium ISO containers. Also, with increasing demand from helium in Asia, we are expanding our aftermarket services globally to support our customers where they are located. With ‘Hydrogen for Mobility’ expected to grow in North America, Europe, China, and Korea, Gardner is expanding its product portfolio and adding manufacturing floor space to meet market demand globally.”

Subramanian also explained that with new sources of helium, and the growing hydrogen energy demand, Gardner is planning to expand its product portfolio accordingly.

“We plan to offer a liquid hydrogen stationary tank, meeting European, Chinese, and Korean regulations and liquid hydrogen transportable semi-trailers to store and move the molecules. Gardner added more floor space to increase its manufacturing capacity to meet market demand,” Subramanian said.

“The Gardner engineering team continues to push the limit by developing novel concepts to enable our customers to address challenging logistic issues, regulatory demands and manage their operational needs.”

August 5, 2020—As featured in gasworld online

Founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in its almost 60 years of business, Gardner Cryogenics has today produced more than 1,900 cryogenic tanks, the first of which is still operational today.

Specialised in developing high-performance, high reliability, long-lasting storage tanks for the transportation of liquid hydrogen and helium molecules globally, Gardner’s team of cryogenic experts work around the clock to provide its customers with high quality products.

The company’s story begun back in 1961 but then gained momentum later in 1981 when it was acquired, giving Gardner an increased opportunity to develop crucial products for the cryogenics industry.

1967 saw Gardner design its 8,500-gallon liquid helium ISO container, and then later in 1973 the company went on to introduce the first 11,000-gallon ISO container, which eventually become the global industry standard for moving liquid helium molecules.

Gardner’s early product innovations are still widely respected in the industry, and it’s first ever 11,000-gallon ISO tank is still in operation today and, to date, only five of the 1700-plus ISO containers manufactured by Gardner have been decommissioned. 

Today, Gardner Cryogenics has a diverse portfolio of products for liquid helium and liquid hydrogen with storage containers from 1,500 to 45,000 gallons and transportation containers ranging from 1,500 to 17,000 gallons.

Talking to gasworld exclusively about its products, Ravi Subramanian, Business and Product Development Manager at Gardner Cryogenics, said, “Our most popular products are the 11,000 gallon 175 psig-40 days liquid helium ISO container and the 17,000-gallon liquid hydrogen semi-trailer.”

“The 11,000 gallon 175 psig-40 days container is the ultimate ISO container, an innovation built to meet our customers’ demand for high-reliability, long-lasting and high-performance.”

A key feature that makes Gardner’s innovations highly popular throughout the market is the company’s unique technology that provides the lowest heat-leak for the highest yield when transporting, storing and transferring liquid helium and liquid hydrogen.

But whilst Gardner’s products have successful been serving the industry for years, it is also important to stay up to date with the latest trends in the market by adapting the company’s offering to align with those trends.

Discussing the trends Gardner is currently seeing, Ravi explained, “We are seeing continued demand for our liquid helium ISO containers. Also, with increasing demand from helium in Asia, we are expanding our aftermarket services globally to support our customers where they are located.”

“With ‘Hydrogen for Mobility’ expected to grow in North America, Europe, China, and Korea, Gardner is expanding its product portfolio and adding manufacturing floor space to meet market demand globally.”

When talking to gasworld, Ravi also explained that with a new source of helium expected in the coming years, and the growing hydrogen energy demand, Gardner is planning to expand its product portfolio accordingly.

“We plan to offer a LHY stationary tank, meeting European, Chinese, and Korean regulations and LHY transportable semi-trailers to store and move the molecules. Gardner added more floor space to increase its manufacturing capacity to meet market demand.”

“The Gardner engineering team continues to push the limit by developing novel concepts to enable our customers to address challenging logistic issues, regulatory demands and manage their operational needs.”

September 2, 2019—As featured in gasworld US edition

Business and Product Development Manager at Gardner Cryogenics

Thanks for taking 10 minutes out with gasworld, what does a typical day in your job entail?

A typical day for me at Gardner Cryogenics is all about making sure we meet customer needs by being responsive and on budget. This is done through extensive collaboration with product development and engineering, working on product enhancements and developing new products to meet future market needs.

What are some of the products you are particularly proud of?

Gardner Cryogenic has a long history in the storage and transportation of liquid helium and hydrogen. Our liquid helium ISO container used for transporting liquid helium is the market leader in reliability and low heat leak, two of the most important parameters for our customers. I am also particularly proud to be part of the team that brought to market our new Smartfuel® product for liquid hydrogen storage and transportation, which is enabling growth of the hydrogen economy and clean energy.

Can you explain some of your diverse cryogenic capabilities?

Gardener Cryogenics has a diverse portfolio of products for liquid helium and liquid hydrogen with storage containers ranging from 1,500 to 45,000 gallons; and transportation containers ranging from 1,500 gallons to 17,250 gallons. In addition to storage and transportable tanks, Gardner makes helium and hydrogen purifiers up to 20,000 standard cubic feet per hour.

What are your tanks typically used for, hydrogen and helium?

Gardner Cryogenics designs and manufactures equipment used in storing and transporting liquid hydrogen and liquid helium. These containers allow molecules to be moved from a production source to end customers in various industries such as electronics, metal fabrication, and construction. The temperature of liquid helium is only four degrees above absolute zero, so the engineering requirements are exceptional.

How has liquid hydrogen transport equipment developed in recent years?

In recent years, the hydrogen energy market has grown substantially. Gardner Cryogenics is on the forefront in designing equipment to transport liquid hydrogen safely for unloading and storage at fueling stations. Safety is our number one priority, and our long history of experience with hydrogen reflects this in our designs and customer support.

What’s the most exciting thing Gardner Cryogenics has worked on recently?

We recently introduced enhanced, higher volume semi-trailers to meet hydrogen energy needs. It is exciting to see our products in action, and to be part of an energy solution that will define the legacy for future generations.

Has your business changed, adapted, or been impacted by the recent helium shortage?

With growth in Asia and new sources of helium expected from 2022 to 2026, our business has been consistent. With tight supply, it is even more important to have reliable containers with long hold times that eliminate product losses.

Has there been any recent enhancements to Gardner manufactured helium tanks?

Our engineering department continues to push limits to improve heat leak and adapt to market needs. One example of this is our helium ISO enhancement for rail transport to access new sources of helium cost effectively.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Over the years, I have received good advice from many individuals that has enabled me to have an open mind and a positive focus. The best piece of advice I have received is to stay true to your character – under no circumstance should this be compromised.

What’s next for Gardner Cryogenics?

Gardner is a great place to work where every employee is proud of the products they manufacture. With new sources of helium coming on stream and the growing hydrogen energy demand, we will continue to support the market with the same high performance, reliability, and quality synonymous with the Gardner name.

For more information please contact Ravi Subramanian at rsubram@gardnercryo.com