Renergen develops COVID vaccine transport solution powered by liquid helium

With a COVID-19 vaccine tipped to be rolled out globally in the coming months, natural gas company Renergen (ASX: RLT) has developed a product that can transport vaccines which require ultra cold conditions, without the need for a power source.

The Cryo-Vacc aims to assist logistics companies with a cost-effective transport solution for vaccines which must be moved at ultra low temperatures to maintain their biology. Having filed for patent rights to the design, Cryo-Vacc is an aluminum device which gradually releases liquid helium over 30 days, enabling vaccines to be stored at temperatures of between -70 and -150 degrees Celsius, without the need for a power source.

“At first, we attempted to find a solution using liquid nitrogen given it is significantly cheaper, but you only had four days to get the payload to its destination for the same weight,” said Renergen CEO, Stefano Marani.

“It became very clear that for delivery into remote areas and developing economies, helium was the only solution for the Renergen Cryo-Vacc. Fortunately, given helium’s specific heat characteristics, it simplified the design substantially and will make the manufacture of the devices not only quicker but more cost-effective.”

Liquid helium is the coldest liquid in the world and only 20% of the density of liquid nitrogen, the alternative product for such cooling purposes. With this density, the same sized device can maintain the low transport temperatures for up to 30 days compared to 4 days using liquid nitrogen.

“As an emerging helium producer, we are proud to have developed this innovative concept, at a time when the world is seeking solutions on how to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” added Marani.

Renergen is in the process of seeking strategic partners that will assist in large-scale manufacturing of Cryo-Vacc.