Helium
Helium: a rare, environmentally-friendly and essential gas
Helium, often overlooked, is a rare gas with unique and irreplaceable properties. Light, colourless, odourless, inert, non-toxic and non-flammable, it is also an ‘ecological’ gas, as it has no impact on the environment or the ozone layer. These characteristics make it a valuable resource for many industries, particularly those at the cutting edge of technology and research.
Origin and availability
Helium is abundant in the universe, making up around 30% of the gases in the solar atmosphere. However, its availability on Earth is much more limited. In its natural state, it exists in low concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere. However, it is found in fossil form in certain pockets of natural gas associated with hydrocarbon deposits, mainly in the United States, Algeria, Qatar and Russia.
When natural gas is liquefied to produce LNG (liquefied natural gas), helium-rich residue gases are extracted to feed liquid helium production plants. Depending on the liquefaction process, the helium content of these gases can vary from 4% to 15%, a concentration sufficient to justify its extraction and recovery.
Helium applications
A resource at the heart of cutting-edge technologies
Medical and environmental applications
- Medical imaging (MRI): In its liquid state, helium is used to cool superconducting magnets, which are essential for magnetic resonance imaging equipment.
- Basic research: From particle accelerators to prototype nuclear fusion reactors, helium plays a key role in advanced research into physics and energy.
Industrial and scientific applications
- Space and aeronautics industry: Used for cooling and pressurised systems, helium plays a key role in projects such as the Ariane 5 programme.
- Scientific research: Used in chromatography instruments to analyse compounds, it enables significant advances in chemistry and biology.
- Leak detection: Thanks to its small molecular size, helium is ideal for leak testing complex systems, particularly in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
Other uses
- Scuba diving: Mixed with oxygen, it enables professional divers to descend into deep water.
- Meteorology: Used in sounding balloons to study the atmosphere.
- Advanced welding: Used in welding processes requiring a protective atmosphere.
Physical properties of helium
A unique material
Helium has physical characteristics that make it indispensable in its many applications:
- In its liquid state, it is the coldest fluid known, with a temperature of -268.9°C, very close to absolute zero (-273.15°C).
- It has exceptional purity (99.999%) and very low densities, making it a particularly light and versatile material.
Physical properties of helium
A unique material
Helium has physical characteristics that make it indispensable in its many applications:
In its liquid state, it is the coldest fluid known, with a temperature of -268.9°C, very close to absolute zero (-273.15°C).
It has exceptional purity (99.999%) and very low densities, making it a particularly light and versatile material.
A rare gas,
but essential for the future
Although rare, helium is a crucial resource for many modern and emerging industries. Its ability to withstand extreme conditions, whether thermal or pressure, makes it a unique and irreplaceable tool in vital applications ranging from medicine to space exploration.
By choosing to add value to helium, Helison Production and Helison Marketing SA are committed to meeting the growing needs of industries around the world, while adopting environmentally-friendly practices. Through a stable supply and cutting-edge technologies, helium will continue to play a central role in innovation and human progress.
If you would like to find out more about the availability, properties and uses of this extraordinary gas, our team will be happy to answer all your questions.
