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A Little Helium Goes
A Long Way...
...Here Is A Short Overview
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Helium Overview
It is the smallest of all elements. The second lightest
known to humankind (next to hydrogen). It is characterized by its low (in fact, the lowest) boiling point. It is a
rare and non-renewable resource.
Helium (He) is remarkable – on so many levels.
Continually being produced in the earth’s crust by
radioactive decay – and gradually working its way into
the atmosphere – helium scarcity is attributable in part
to the fact that helium gas is so light it escapes the
earth’s gravitational field.
As a result, helium is found in non-permeable natural
gas formations where atmospheric escape is inhibited.
Helium aggregation in these fields can reach as high
as 10% in rare cases. Only a few deposits worldwide
contain helium in sufficient quantities to enable economically feasible recovery of helium gas.
Argon, 1%
Oxygen
21%
Nitrogen
78%
Neon,
Krypton &
Xenon
Other
0.002%
Helium is a unique element with a unique
set of valuable properties, including:
lowest boiling point of any element
Carbon
Dioxide,
0.03%
inert
Helium Concentration
in Air: 0.0005%
low density
low viscosity
high thermal conductivity
Migration
low atomic mass
small atomic radius
Helium Concentration
in Natural Gas
Reservoirs:
(0.1%-5%)
high diffusion rate
high speed of sound
high ionization energy
low solubility
Helium Source
Generation
(Radioactive Decay)
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chemically inert
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Common Helium Questions
Below is a diagram showing the basics of the helium supply chain. Transfill locations receive liquid
‘ISO’ containers and distribute the product to smaller users in both gas and liquid form.
Praxair – A Fully Integrated Helium Supplier from Source to Customer
Natural Gas Processing
Helium Processing
Helium Distribution
Natural Gas Plant
Fuel
Gas
End-Use
Customers
High-Purity Helium (Gas)
Crude
Helium
Bulk
Distribution
Centers
Gas Tube Trailer
( (50-70% He)
Upgrader
Cylinders
For End-Use
Customer
Liquid
Storage
PSA
Gas
Liquefier
Bulk Liquid Helium Transport
End-Use
Customers
Bulk
Distribution
Centers
Tube Trailers,
Cylinders,
Dewars
For End-Use
Customers
Natural Gas
Reservoir
How is helium formed?
Other
Deep in the earth, when radioactive decay of thorium and Algeria
uranium in granite take place,
the result is helium gas. While
most helium escapes through
porous rock and through the
Qatar
atmosphere, some helium is
found trapped with other natural
gases by impermeable rock.
Where is helium found?
Helium is found in natural gas
deposits. In only a few cases
do the appropriate conditions
(helium source combined with
reservoir with an impermeable
caprock) coincide, resulting
in helium concentrations and
reserves sufficient to economically extract.
U.S.
This chart shows where helium
is produced globally today.
How is helium extracted?
Helium is extracted from natural
gas by separating it from other
components and producing a
crude helium stream (~50%+
helium). This stream is then
further purified and liquefied to
meet the high purity (99.99%+
helium) required by most helium
applications.
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How is helium distributed
globally?
Most of the world’s helium is
produced in liquid form and
shipped in “ISO-framed-bimodal”
containers which hold approximately 10,000 gallons of liquid
helium. These containers are
built with a liquid nitrogen jacket
that enables the helium to be
stored as a liquid for approximately 30 days before venting
is required to reduce pressure.
In some cases, ISO containers
are shipped directly to customers
who require bulk helium. The
balance of users require small
packages. Helium ISO containers
are shipped to transfills, (e.g.,
break-bulk type facilities) which
repackage gaseous helium into
tube trailers (capable of holding
pressures up to 10,000 psig) for
distribution over shorter distances.
Liquid dewars and gaseous
cylinders are used by smaller
customers.
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Common Applications for Helium
What are common applications for helium?
Due to its unique blend of characteristics –
making it difficult or impossible to substitute
other gases – helium is used in a wide variety
of high value applications across a number of
industries, such as:
Aerospace & Aircraft
From manufacturing to flight,
helium is widely utilized throughout the aerospace and aircraft
industry. In space flight operations, helium is used to purge
hydrogen systems and works as
a pressurizing agent for ground and flight fluid
systems. It is also a source of lift in weather and
other surveillance balloons.
Automotive & Transportation
Equipment
Helium is used to test critical
automotive parts such as radiator
heat exchangers, air conditioning components, fuel tanks and
torque converters to ensure they
meet quality specifications. It is also used in combination with argon as a source of inflation in a
growing number of airbags.
Diving
In combination with oxygen,
helium is used in diving to help
eliminate nitrogen narcosis,
reduce breathing resistance at
depth, and shorten decompression stops.
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Electronics
Helium plays a significant role
in the manufacturing of semiconductors, LCD panels, and fiber
optic wire. It cools parts and
components quickly to enhance
throughput, controls the rate of
heat transfer to improve productivity and reduce
defects, and functions as a carrier gas in the
production process.
Healthcare
Helium is used to achieve
cryogenic temperatures of -451
degrees required for superconducting magnets in MRIs and
NMRs, allowing the capture of
high-resolution images of internal
organs and tissues.
Welding & Metal Fabrication
Helium’s inert properties at arc
temperatures make it an ideal
gas for welding materials with
high heat conductivity such as
aluminum, stainless steel, copper and magnesium alloys. Helium
is also used in heat-treating processes such as gas
quenching and in furnace atmospheres to produce
parts with higher tolerance and improved quality.
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Helium Recovery and Recycle
Helium Recovery and Recycle
To reduce the consumption and effective cost of helium,
some processes incorporate the use of helium recovery
and recycle systems.
Recovery includes four components – capture, purification, compression and recirculation – and important
parameters to consider when evaluating helium recycle
systems are:
• Gas consumption rates
• Flow variation
• Collection points
• Types and quantities of impurities in off-gas
• Site considerations
• mount of recoverable helium
Purification is achieved through the use of membranes,
pressure swing adsorption, cryoadsorbers, getters, or
other related technologies.
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