ISO 21014-2019 PDF

Full title and description

St ISO 21014-2019 — Cryogenic vessels — Cryogenic insulation performance. This international standard specifies practical test and measurement methods to determine the heat‑leak (insulation) performance of cryogenic vessels, covering measurement approaches for both open and closed systems. It provides procedures for obtaining comparable performance data and reporting results; it does not set pass/fail insulation limits.

Abstract

This document defines practical methods for determining the heat‑leak performance of cryogenic vessels. The methods include measurement on both open and closed systems. This document neither specifies the requirement levels for insulation performance nor when the defined methods are applied.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed by ISO review).
• Publication date: 12 November 2019 (ISO 21014:2019).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO), technical committee ISO/TC 220.
• ICS / categories: 23.020.40 (Cryogenic vessels).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2019); amended by ISO 21014:2019/Amd 1:2022.
• Number of pages: 17 pages.

Scope

ISO 21014:2019 provides standardized, practical measurement methods to determine the heat‑leak (insulation) performance of cryogenic vessels. The scope covers measurement techniques applicable to both open systems (where boil‑off or mass loss can be measured) and closed systems (where calorimetric or equivalent techniques are used). The standard establishes how to perform tests and report results so that insulation performance data are comparable between laboratories and manufacturers; it does not prescribe minimum performance requirements or acceptance criteria.

Key topics and requirements

• Defined measurement methods for heat leak / insulation performance (open and closed system approaches).
• Procedures for measuring boil‑off or mass loss and for calorimetric/thermal balance testing.
• Requirements for test conditions, instrumentation and measurement uncertainty considerations.
• Data reduction, calculations and presentation of heat‑leak results (reporting format to enable comparison).
• Corrections and considerations for ambient conditions and test‑specific variables.
• Guidance on test repeatability, specimen handling and conditioning prior to measurement.

Typical use and users

Used by manufacturers of cryogenic vessels and dewars, test and calibration laboratories, R&D groups in cryogenics, hydrogen and LNG storage system developers, quality and acceptance engineers, and regulatory or procurement bodies seeking comparable insulation performance data for selection, verification or design optimization.

Related standards

Standards developed by ISO/TC 220 on cryogenic vessels are closely related; examples include earlier and adjacent deliverables in the ISO 210xx series (the previous ISO 21014:2006 edition and related ISO standards addressing design, materials compatibility, valves and hoses for cryogenic service). ISO 21014:2019 is accompanied by Amendment 1 (2022) which updates or clarifies selected provisions.

Keywords

cryogenic vessels; insulation performance; heat leak; boil‑off rate; measurement method; test procedure; vacuum insulated vessel; ISO/TC 220; cryogenics; thermal performance.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 21014:2019 is an international standard that specifies practical methods to measure the insulation (heat‑leak) performance of cryogenic vessels.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement procedures for determining heat leak in both open systems (e.g., measuring boil‑off or mass loss) and closed systems (e.g., calorimetric methods), plus guidance on instrumentation, test conditions, data reduction and reporting. It does not set pass/fail performance limits.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers, test laboratories, designers and quality engineers working with cryogenic storage vessels (dewars, tanks, cryostats), and organizations needing comparable insulation performance data for procurement or design.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 21014:2019 is the current edition (Edition 2, published November 2019) and has been amended (ISO 21014:2019/Amd 1:2022). The ISO record shows it was reviewed and confirmed in 2025; it remains the valid version.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is part of ISO/TC 220’s body of work on cryogenic vessels and related standards (earlier and parallel ISO 210xx documents covering design, operational requirements, materials compatibility, valves and hoses are closely related).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Cryogenic vessels, cryogenic insulation performance, heat leak, boil‑off, measurement methods, vacuum insulation, test procedures, ISO/TC 220.