Taylor-Wharton CP Series - Manual (Page 2)

Safety
Operation
Before using your Cryo-Pak Shipper, read the “Handle
with Care” booklet (TW-10) provided with the unit. It
details safety and unit care precautions that must be read
and understood before using the equipment.
The following are few of safety precautions described in
“Handle with Care”. Please be sure to read the entire
booklet before using the CryoPak Shipper.
Do not allow liquid or cold metal surfaces to contact
your bare skin. The liquid nitrogen used as a cryogenic
refrigerant in these containers is extremely cold: -320°F
(-196°C).
Exposure of skin and eyes to liquid, cold gas, or frosted
parts could result in a severe frostbite injury. Because of
the extremely low temperature, a face shield and gloves must
be worn when transferring liquid nitrogen in or out of this
container.
Use only the necktube core provided with this unit or an
approved replacement part. A tight-fitting plug or stopper will
cause a pressure increase in the container that may damage
the container and/or cause personal injury.
Store and use these containers only in well ventilated places.
In a confined area, nitrogen gas from these units may cause
suffocation by displacing air needed for breathing.
Keep the cap and canister in place except during filling or
removing specimens. Minimize exposing the cold specimen
cavity to air in order to minimize moisture accumulation
thereby extending the life of the shipper.
Important note: Before filling the CryoPak for the first
time, record the tare eight and serial number of each
container. Recording the “as received” tare weight on
the container itself is recommended.
Filling – Adding liquid nitrogen to a warm container may
cause splashing and will generate a significant volume of
nitrogen gas as cold liquid contacts warm refrigerator
surfaces. Add liquid slowly to minimize these effects. Be
sure there is adequate ventilation. Keep your body clear of
the vapor that may be produced; it is extremely cold and
could cause personal injury.
With regular useage, moisture can accumulate in the
refrigerator as a result of lowering a frosted container back
into the shipping cavity. This moisture will displace nitrogen
in the absorbent materials on subsequent filling and affect
the overall holding time.
CAUTION
When filling the Cryogenic Refrigerator, avoid liquid
nitrogen coming in contact with the vacuum plug. In
order to accomplish this, the CryoPak must be removed
from its shipping carton during the “fill”operation.
Remove the unit from its shipping enclosures. Set the
unit on a scale and fill the refrigerator with liquid to the
bottom of the necktube. Then allow the unit to stand undis-
turbed while the refrigerant is being absorbed. About every
five minutes, add liquid to maintain the refrigerant level as
the liquid is absorbed by the filler. This procedure can take
ten to fifteen cycles. When the liquid level remains at the
bottom of the necktube, the shipper is full.
At this point, the quantity of liquid standing in the central
cavity of the refrigerator must be poured out to prevent
spillage during shipment. To assure a complete fill, the
CP30 should weight 161 lb (7.3 kg), the CP100 should
weigh 16.4 lb (7.4 kg). The CP300 should weigh 50.0 lb
(22.7 kg) and the CP500 should weight 40.9 lb (18.6 kg).
(See footnote 3 under specifications.
CAUTION
Dispose of liquid nitrogen only in areas specifically
designed for that purpose. The extremely cold tempera-
ture of the liquid may severely damage plumbing or
equipment not designed for cryogenic temperatures.
Disposal of liquid nitrogen should be done outdoors in
a safe place. Pour the liquid slowly on gravel or bare
earth where it can evaporate without causing damage.
The material to be stored in the CyroPak refrigerator, as well
as its canister or rack, should be pre-cooled before being
placed in the shipper. When the refrigerator is fully charged,
place the pre-cooled material to be stored in the pre-cooled
canister and lower it into the necktube. Install the necktube
and cap to hold the canister in place.
CAUTION
When the CryoPak is in use, it must be kept upright.
When properly filled, there is no concern from liquid
refrigerant spills. However, holding time will be drasti-
cally reduced when the refrigerator is on its side.