Helium-4 is then extracted from the ground with wells drilled to release it. The natural gas containing helium-4 then undergoes a process of cryogenic distillation to obtain the helium particles. Once separated from natural gas, helium-4 goes through another process of refining after which it is brought to The global demand for helium continues to increase, causing major concern over the finite resource of helium gas, thereby rendering the supply chain fragile.
The problem with extracting helium gas is that not many natural gas fields have high concentrations of helium gas and extracting helium from such fields would be too costly for the meagre levels of gas obtained.
So why is helium so valuable? However, because of the uncertainty on the future supply of helium gas and the inevitable inflation of the costs involved, many industries are resorting to other sources for their applications. Gas chromatography is one of such applications utilising other gases as a carrier gas instead of helium. Although the choice of carrier gas depends on the contents of the sample, hydrogen gas is one of the main contenders as a substitute for helium.
Having very low viscosity, hydrogen gas can provide the highest mobility rate of all carrier gases, reducing time for sample analysis. Benefits of cost savings is also another factor to be considered when opting for a carrier gas alternative. Hydrogen gas, unlike helium, can be produced on-site through electrolysis of deionized water using a hydrogen generator, providing the purity required for efficient analysis.
As opposed to storing helium or hydrogen gas in cylinders, hydrogen can be accessed on demand with a hydrogen generator, ensuring that the hydrogen gas generated corresponds to the amount required for the application and no excess gas needs to be ordered in advance. The safety of hydrogen gas is often a concern for researchers looking for a carrier gas alternative. The Helium Acts Amendments of gave the green light for the US Bureau of Mines to allocate five private plants to recover helium from natural gas to be stored in the National Helium Reserve.
There, it can be compressed at the surface and stored, thanks to a thick layer of salt keeping the gas in place. This act worked to implement the following:. Though the US is the largest terrestrial known source of natural gas and helium, it is not the only country globally with reserves.
Behind the US, are Algeria and Qatar, respectively, in terms of recoverable helium. The current helium shortage that we have today is the result of a number of factors, both directly related to the gas supply itself and also because of the economic factors surrounding it. Though we had previously stockpiled it as part of the war effort, the later decision by former President Bill Clinton to sign into law the Helium Privatization Act of changed that with its requirement that the US government sell off its supply by The idea was that the private market could figure out where the helium would be best used, but instead it kept the price of helium artificially low relative to its scarcity, leading to the rapid sale of much of the gas.
While balloons are probably the least important use of helium, they are something of a canary in the coal mine for other businesses - especially given that the BLM reserves are on track to depletion by [4]. Ambitious capitalists are taking notice though, and natural gas supply chains are increasingly looking to integrate helium extraction into their processes for large projects. Qatar and Russia are also exploring opportunities within their own natural gas fields to extract and sell helium.
So in other words, while helium supply is unlikely to totally run out, your favorite Thanksgiving Day parade floats might be grounded. But it could be about to get way more expensive. Topics: Specialty Gases , industrial gases , helium , helium shortage. Look to the WestAir blog for information to help you effectively and safely use gases in your industrial and specialty processes.
Qatar, Russia and US have generally been the predominant producers of helium. To date, helium has been mostly an associated product of natural gas production. Imperial Helium recognizes the market potential and is specializing in the both the capture and production of helium by is tapping into the abundant opportunities which naturally abound in Western Canada.
Read more. December 8, by Imperial Helium. Where was helium first discovered? Where is helium found? When all three of these conditions are met: Basement rocks are rich in uranium and thorium The basement rocks are fractured and faulted to provide escape routes for the helium Porous sedimentary rocks above the basement faults are capped by an impermeable seal of shale, halite or anhydrite.
Can helium be made?
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