Where in San Francisco, California, can I buy liquid nitrogen in small
quantities (a gallon or less) and what's the best way to store it once
I have it?

Hello muta-ga,


Thank you for such an interesting question.


Liquid Nitrogen can be bought at welding, hospital, and medical supply
outlets. I searched in the San Francisco Yellow Pages under "welding
supplies" "welding equipment and supplies" and “medical supplies”. The
following are the results of my search:


Airgas
3003 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 648-9353 


Praxair  
1690 Evans Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 826-8626 


Praxair Distribution Inc  
7 S Linden Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 873-2055 

  
Airco Gas and Gear 
3003 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 
(415) 648-9353 


Airgas 
3003 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94107 
(415) 648-9353 


Bayox 
1690 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124 
(415) 826-8626 
 

Praxair 
1690 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94124 
(415) 826-8626 


Shamrock Welding & Supply Inc 
San Francisco, CA 94102 
(415) 921-0112 

 
Cephas Medical Supplies 
380 Eddy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 
(415) 674-8684


Global Medical Supply 
650 Townsend Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 
(415) 325-5000


N & A Medical Supply 
5427 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94121 
(415) 752-8040


“Be forewarned that they may not want to sell small quantities (less
than 50 gallons), so check first by calling them up. If there is a
college near you, they may be able to give you some. Call the
college's Physics Department.”
http://www.williams.edu/physics/kforkey/liquid_nitrogen.htm


You have to be very careful when you handle liquid nitrogen. Liquid
nitrogen can cause serious damage to skin and eyes if it is improperly
handled.
“If you spill liquid nitrogen on your clothes, you will probably be
'burned'. (Your skin will be frozen where the fabric held the liquid
in contact with it.) Small amounts of nitrogen falling on bare skin
usually skitter off before causing a serious burn.”
http://www.williams.edu/physics/kforkey/liquid_nitrogen.htm


Now I will answer your second question on how to store liquid
nitrogen. First of all, you must never put liquid nitrogen in a sealed
container because the container will explode.
“Here's how to handle liquid nitrogen. You will need a Thermos bottle
(the real glass vacuum bottle kind) to store the nitrogen, and goggles
and insulating gloves to handle it. You will find that a small Thermos
will hold nitrogen for about a day. Larger bottles will do better.
This is normal, because the nitrogen continually evaporates even in
the Thermos. That is why the lid must have a hole in it. Don't let the
hole get plugged by ice condensing from the air”
http://www.williams.edu/physics/kforkey/liquid_nitrogen.htm


Search criteria:

liquid nitrogen
storing liquid nitrogen 
welding supplies
welding supplies San Francisco


I hope this is what you were looking for.


Best regards,
Bobbie7-ga

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 17 Jun 2002 15:07 PDT

Hi

I sent an e-mail to Wesco and they replied that they do sell liquid nitrogen.
Here is the copy of their message with their contact info.

Yes, we do sell liquid nitrogen.
We are located in Redwood City.
 
Our info:
Wesco Redwood, Inc
947 Broadway
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 368-2821
wesco@pacbell.net

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Clarification of Answer by bobbie7-ga on 18 Jun 2002 09:36 PDT

Hello again, 

The following is a reply from Arc Gas Products.

"Thank you for your interest in ARC GAS PRODUCTS.  Yes, we do sell
liquid nitrogen and can sell it by the gallon if you provide your own
container, the price for one liter is $20.03 including tax.  We are
located at 140 S. Montgomery St. in San Jose.  Our phone number is
408-287-2893, please feel free to contact us if you have any further
questions. "
Sincerely, 
ARC GAS PRODUCTS, Inc.

Thanks bobbie7-ga, I appreciate the addresses and phone numbers and
especially the email follow-up. Nice work.