The High Cost of Liquid Nitrogen in Cryotherapy Machines: Understanding Off-Gassing and Price Volatility
Cryotherapy machines have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people turning to them for pain relief, injury recovery, and overall wellness. However, the cost of operating these machines can be a significant concern, particularly when it comes to nitrogen cryotherapy machines. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons behind the high cost of nitrogen cryotherapy machines and what you need to know before investing in one.
Using Liquid Nitrogen for Cryotherapy
Some cryotherapy machines use liquid nitrogen to cool the air, creating a dry, icy mist used to cool the body. The liquid nitrogen is stored in a tank, and the cryotherapy machine releases a small amount of the liquid nitrogen into the air to create a cooling effect. While this can be an effective way to cool the air, it comes with a high price tag.
The True Cost of Liquid Nitrogen
The cost of nitrogen is a significant factor in the running cost of cryotherapy machines because liquid nitrogen needs to be replenished regularly. The frequency of nitrogen refills will depend on the size of the tank and the amount of use the machine gets. But that’s not the only cost associated with liquid nitrogen.
Off-gassing is a natural process that significantly impacts the cost of using liquid nitrogen. It occurs when some of the liquid nitrogen evaporates and is vented off the dewar/cylinder, reducing your supply each day. This means that even if you have an efficient installation, 20% of what you pay for nitrogen is eventually wasted. To put this into perspective, suppose you have secured an LN2 contract for $1.00 per liter delivered, including dewar rental costs. On average, you use 1,000 liters of liquid nitrogen per month, which results in a monthly bill of $1,000. However, 20% of the nitrogen (200 liters) is lost to off-gassing. This means that the actual consumption is only 800 liters, resulting in a real cost of $1.25 per liter. This is an increase of 25% from the initial price, and it’s important to keep in mind that this additional cost comes on top of the ROI already discussed.
Price Volatility
In addition to off-gassing, the price of nitrogen can be volatile due to a variety of factors, including supply and demand, production costs, and global market conditions. When there is a high demand for nitrogen, such as during peak usage periods, the price can increase due to limited availability. Conversely, when there is a lower demand for nitrogen, such as during off-peak usage periods, the price can decrease due to excess supply.
The production of nitrogen can be an energy-intensive process, which can increase the cost of production. Additionally, fluctuations in energy prices, such as those related to the cost of natural gas, can also impact the cost of producing nitrogen.
Finally, global market conditions can also impact the price of nitrogen. Nitrogen is used in a variety of industries around the world, and global events such as economic downturns, natural disasters, or political unrest can impact the supply and demand of nitrogen, which can impact the price.
Managing Nitrogen Costs
Overall, the cost of operating a nitrogen cryotherapy machine can be significant. It’s important to factor in the cost of nitrogen, including off-gassing, and the potential for price volatility when calculating expenses and managing your budget. One way to mitigate these costs is by choosing an electric cryotherapy machine instead of a nitrogen one. Electric machines don’t require liquid nitrogen, so you won’t have to worry about off-gassing or price volatility.
In conclusion, while liquid nitrogen can be an effective way to cool the air in cryotherapy machines, it comes with