An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.

An automated cryogenic storage system includes a freezer and an automation system to provide automated transfer of samples to and from the freezer. The freezer includes a bearing and a drive shaft though the freezer, the drive shaft being coupled to a rack carrier inside the freezer and adapted to be coupled to a motor. The automation module includes a rack puller that is automatically positioned above an access port of the freezer. The rack puller engages with a sample rack within the freezer, and elevates the rack into an insulating sleeve external to the freezer. From the insulating sleeve, samples can be added to and removed from the sample rack before it is returned to the freezer.

A freezer having an inlet, an inlet portion having at least one inlet blower, an outlet, an outlet portion having at least one outlet blower, and a conveyor configured to transport products from the inlet to the outlet of the freezer; the inlet blower and the outlet blower configured to circulate gas or a gas and cryogen mixture to impinge onto products transported on the conveyor, wherein at least one of the at least one inlet blower and the at least one outlet blower is configured to be controlled independently of the other to provide no less than a neutral pressure condition at the inlet and outlet portions. A method for controlling gas flow within and minimizing air infiltration into such a freezer by controlling a speed of the inlet blower and the outlet blower independently to provide no less than a neutral pressure condition at the inlet and outlet portions.

A freezer having an inlet, an inlet portion having at least one inlet blower, an outlet, an outlet portion having at least one outlet blower, and a conveyor configured to transport products from the inlet to the outlet of the freezer; the inlet blower and the outlet blower configured to circulate gas or a gas and cryogen mixture to impinge onto products transported on the conveyor, wherein at least one of the at least one inlet blower and the at least one outlet blower is configured to be controlled independently of the other to provide no less than a neutral pressure condition at the inlet and outlet portions. A method for controlling gas flow within and minimizing air infiltration into such a freezer by controlling a speed of the inlet blower and the outlet blower independently to provide no less than a neutral pressure condition at the inlet and outlet portions.

A cryomill system having an intake component housing an auger, a cooling source containing a liquid coolant being coupled to the cryomill system, a cryomill containment portion, having a mixer located therein and an associated cryomill lid coupled thereto, as well as a collection canister having a poppet valve aperture there through and a gas shielded poppet valve coupling the collection canister to the containment portion.

A cryomill system having an intake component housing an auger, a cooling source containing a liquid coolant being coupled to the cryomill system, a cryomill containment portion, having a mixer located therein and an associated cryomill lid coupled thereto, as well as a collection canister having a poppet valve aperture there through and a gas shielded poppet valve coupling the collection canister to the containment portion.

Provided is a degassing apparatus having a fluid flow surface positioned within a tank and configured for decreasing the velocity of the fluid flowing through the tank; a cryogen fluid cooling system including the degassing apparatus positioned in fluid communication with a cryogen injector of the system; and a direct cryogen fluid cooling method including flowing fluid containing cryogen into a degassing apparatus for decreasing a velocity of and for removing cryogen gas from the flowing fluid.

A cryogenic freezer includes a plurality of conveyor rail supports that rest upon side walls of a lower housing of the freezer. The conveyor rail supports include upper and lower bars that support upper and lower conveyor support rails extending perpendicular to the bars.

A cryogenic freezer includes a plurality of conveyor rail supports that rest upon side walls of a lower housing of the freezer. The conveyor rail supports include upper and lower bars that support upper and lower conveyor support rails extending perpendicular to the bars.

A product is chilled or at least partially frozen by descending against a counter-current flow of liquid nitrogen in a vertical freezer containing an immersion bath of liquid nitrogen and the chilled or at least partially frozen product is extracted from the bath. The product may optionally be a liquid, semi-solid, suspension or slurry.