3. Conclusion – Outlook

The liquid cryogenic applications of the fluids described above are highly specific (medical, research, space, etc.). In industry, they are mainly used in gaseous form, as inert gases, carrier gases, sweeping gases, etc. In this case, they can be stored at low temperature in liquid form, since on average, at equivalent pressure, their volume takes up 1,000 times less space. They are then vaporized for application.

When used on a large scale, the supply and availability of cryogenic fluids is a factor to be taken into account. Nitrogen and oxygen resources are virtually unlimited.

Hydrogen is produced industrially. Almost all the hydrogen available today comes from the reforming of natural gas. Hydrogen can also be produced by water electrolysis, although this technique currently accounts for less than 1% of total production capacity. These...