ISO 21029-1:2018

Overview

ISO 21029-1:2018 specifies requirements for the design, fabrication, type testing, initial inspection and testing of transportable, vacuum‑insulated cryogenic pressure vessels with a capacity of not more than 1 000 litres. It covers transportable vacuum‑insulated cryogenic vessels for non‑toxic cryogenic fluids and sets out mandatory technical, inspection and documentation requirements needed to achieve safe, reliable performance in service. The standard excludes vessels designed for toxic fluids, open‑top dewars and refillable liquid hydrogen or LNG tanks primarily dedicated as vehicle fuel tanks (see ISO 13985).

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 21029-1:2018 organizes technical requirements across the vessel lifecycle and includes:

• Design options and validation: design by calculation, or by calculation supplemented with experimental methods, and procedures for design validation and type approval.
• Mechanical, chemical and thermal loading: design loads, pressure test loads and other mechanical influences relevant to cryogenic operation.
• Materials and fabrication: base material selection, material properties and certificates, forming, welding qualification, manufacturing tolerances and assembly practices.
• Inspection and testing: non‑destructive testing (surface and volumetric examinations), production control test plates, pressure testing and rectification rules.
• Pressure safety and components: relief devices, piping, valves, inspection openings and protective guards.
• Marking, labelling and documentation: mandatory marking, labelling information and required documentation for initial inspection and handover.
• Normative and informative annexes: guidance on base materials, outer jacket relief devices, elastic stress analysis, external pressure calculations and type approval test procedures. (The standard references ISO 6520‑1 for weld classification.)

Practical applications and users

ISO 21029-1 is intended for organizations involved in the lifecycle of small transportable cryogenic vessels:

• Design engineers and manufacturers creating vacuum‑insulated cryogenic containers up to 1 000 L.
• Inspection bodies, testing laboratories and certification authorities performing type tests, initial inspections and conformity assessments.
• Operators and procurement teams in industries that transport or distribute non‑toxic cryogenic fluids (industrial gases, medical supplies, research facilities) who need compliant equipment.
• Quality and safety managers responsible for manufacturing controls, welding procedures and pressure testing regimes.

Related standards

• ISO 13985 - specific requirements for vehicle fuel tanks (liquid hydrogen, LNG) - referenced as excluded from ISO 21029‑1.
• ISO 6520‑1 - weld classification referenced for acceptance criteria.

Use ISO 21029-1:2018 to ensure safe design, consistent fabrication, rigorous inspection and reliable testing of transportable vacuum‑insulated cryogenic vessels under 1 000 L.