Cryogenic Pumps
In 1974 the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) contracted Barber-Nichols, Inc. (BNI) to design and manufacture a cryogenic liquid helium pump for laboratory use. This cryogenic pump's performance exceeded NIST's expectations and BNI's entrance into the cryogenic industry had begun. Since that time, 
Barber-Nichols' reputation as an international manufacturer of custom cryogenic blowers, circulators, compressors, and pumps has flourished. BNI incorporates both hermetic and low heat leak features into its cryogenic pumps which are crucial in cryogenic applications.
Long Shaft Cryogenic Pumps efficiently transfer liquid cryogens while minimizing heat leak. The pump's motor is mounted outside the cryogenic system. A long shaft separates the motor from the pump impeller thereby minimizing heat leak. Some applications include the circulation of liquid nitrogen for high temperature superconductors and for synchrotron beamline crystal cooling.
Cold Gas Compressors circulate, compress, or transfer cryogenic gas. Applications for this product include:
- The circulation of cold helium gas for the cooling of superconducting magnets
- The circulation of hot & cold nitrogen gas in climatic (satellite) test chambers
- The transfer of boil-off-gas back to LNG ships while they unload at receiving terminals
Submersible Cryogenic Pumps are applicable where heat leak is not of great concern but reliability is paramount. Applications for this product include the transfer of:
- LNG at vehicle filling stations
- Liquid nitrogen and LNG to tanker trucks
Vacuum Housing Cryogenic Pumps
Vacuum Housing Cryogenic Pumps circulate liquid cryogens in applications where extremely low heat leak is desirable. The pump's impeller is mounted in a vacuum to minimize heat leak as much as possible. Applications for this product include the circulation of:
- Liquid helium for cooling superconducting magnets
- Supercritical hydrogen for neutron source cooling
- Sub-cooled liquid nitrogen for high temperature superconductors