Helium 101
Why Helium
Helium (He) is colourless, odourless, inert, non-toxic gas that is the second lightest amongst all elements and has the lowest boiling point of any element (-268.9 C).
Helium sources are non-renewable and scarce in economically recoverable quantities.
Helium 101
Why Helium
Helium (He) is colourless, odourless, inert, non-toxic gas that is the second lightest amongst all elements and has the lowest boiling point of any element (-268.9 C).
Helium sources are non-renewable and scarce in economically recoverable quantities.
The unique qualities of helium make it a perfect fit for cryogenic applications (its largest single use), particularly in the cooling of superconducting magnets in MRIs. Other applications include cooling of magnets in NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance); high speed Maglev trains; as a shielding gas in welding; leak detection for rocket propulsion systems (NASA); deep sea diving gases; and in high tech environments – specifically in semiconductor manufacturing where an inert atmosphere is required, as well as other well-known uses, such as, balloons and medical equipment. Helium cannot be replaced in many of its applications.
Where Does it Come From?
Helium (4He – the stable isotope of helium), is sourced from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium at significant depths in the earths crust. Typically, Precambrian metamorphic or granitic basement rock have higher concentrations of uranium or thorium and are old enough to have the necessary time component, as well as the necessary heat, for radioactive decay of these elements to helium. Once uranium and thorium decay, the released helium remains trapped beneath caprock. The resultant helium is harmless, inert and non-radioactive.
Cooling
Superconducting
Magnets
Superconducting magnets are not only critical to medical technology like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR), they are also critical for high tech transportation systems like high speed maglev trains. Because helium is the only element that can exist in a liquid state at near absolute zero it is an irreplaceable and critical component of systems that use superconducting magnets.
- MRI machines require up to 800 litres of liquid helium to operate.
- High Speed Maglev trains can use up to 800 Mcf helium per KM of track.
- Currently without liquid helium cooling the magnets for MRI and NMR machines would not be possible.
Cooling
Superconducting
Magnets
Superconducting magnets are not only critical to medical technology like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR), they are also critical for high tech transportation systems like high speed maglev trains. Because helium is the only element that can exist in a liquid state at near absolute zero it is an irreplaceable and critical component of systems that use superconducting magnets.
- MRI machines require up to 800 litres of liquid helium to operate.
- High Speed Maglev trains can use up to 800 Mcf helium per KM of track.
- Currently without liquid helium cooling the magnets for MRI and NMR machines would not be possible.
Technology
Manufacturing
Helium is critical to the manufacturing process of semiconductors and fibre optic cables. Helium-filled hard drives offer 50% higher storage capacity with 23% lower operating power. Semiconductors are the fourth most traded commodity on earth and are critical to the modern world.
- Helium is used throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process.
- Fibre Optic cables must be manufactured in a pure helium environment.
- The US has allocated over $50B as part of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act, driving repatriation of helium reliant semiconductor manufacturing to the US.
Technology
Manufacturing
Helium is critical to the manufacturing process of semiconductors and fibre optic cables. Helium-filled hard drives offer 50% higher storage capacity with 23% lower operating power. Semiconductors are the fourth most traded commodity on earth and are critical to the modern world.
- Helium is used throughout the semiconductor manufacturing process.
- Fibre Optic cables must be manufactured in a pure helium environment.
- The US has allocated over $50B as part of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act, driving repatriation of helium reliant semiconductor manufacturing to the US.
Aerospace
Space
Exploration
Being that it remains a gas at low temperatures of liquid hydrogen, it is quite beneficial for applications in aerospace. To force fuel into rocket engines, helium is necessary in pressurizing the structure of the rockets prior to takeoff. Helium is also utilized in space flight operations, where it is used to clean out hydrogen systems.
- In rocket engines, helium is often used as a pressurizing agent, pushing the liquid fuel and oxidizer into the combustion chamber. It is also used as a purging gas, by virtue of its inertness and low boiling and melting temperatures.
- Helium is the smallest atom and has a high diffusion coefficient, making it ideal for testing for leaks. If any leaks are present, helium will pass through and thus expose them.
Aerospace
Space
Exploration
Being that it remains a gas at low temperatures of liquid hydrogen, it is quite beneficial for applications in aerospace. To force fuel into rocket engines, helium is necessary in pressurizing the structure of the rockets prior to takeoff. Helium is also utilized in space flight operations, where it is used to clean out hydrogen systems.
- In rocket engines, helium is often used as a pressurizing agent, pushing the liquid fuel and oxidizer into the combustion chamber. It is also used as a purging gas, by virtue of its inertness and low boiling and melting temperatures.
- Helium is the smallest atom and has a high diffusion coefficient, making it ideal for testing for leaks. If any leaks are present, helium will pass through and thus expose them.
Technology
Quantum Computing
Since it can only operate at near zero temperatures, quantum computing is heavily reliant on helium. In fact, the most advanced quantum computers are submerged in liquid helium so that they can process up to 1 trillion different outcomes per second.
- Quantum computers use helium to achieve near-absolute-zero cooling to reduce interference from noise on individual qubits in the system.
- Some vacuum chambers are cryogenically cooled with liquid helium to bring the temperature of the ion trap chip to 10 degrees above absolute zero (approximately negative 441 degrees Fahrenheit, colder than the surface temperature of Pluto).
Technology
Quantum Computing
Since it can only operate at near zero temperatures, quantum computing is heavily reliant on helium. In fact, the most advanced quantum computers are submerged in liquid helium so that they can process up to 1 trillion different outcomes per second.
- Quantum computers use helium to achieve near-absolute-zero cooling to reduce interference from noise on individual qubits in the system.
- Some vacuum chambers are cryogenically cooled with liquid helium to bring the temperature of the ion trap chip to 10 degrees above absolute zero (approximately negative 441 degrees Fahrenheit, colder than the surface temperature of Pluto).
Energy
Nuclear
Reactors
As an inert gas that does not reactive with anything helium is used throughout nuclear reactors as a purging gas and a coolant, making it vital to energy production.
- Used for purging and leak detection in traditional and SMR reactors.
- The zero emission Micro Modular Reactor (MMR - a fourth generation small modular reactor), being advanced as a demonstration project at Chalk River, Ontario by Global First Power, uses helium gas as the coolant.
Energy
Nuclear
Reactors
As an inert gas that does not reactive with anything helium is used throughout nuclear reactors as a purging gas and a coolant, making it vital to energy production.
- Used for purging and leak detection in traditional and newer SMR reactors.
- The zero emission Micro Modular Reactor (MMR - a fourth generation small modular reactor), being advanced as a demonstration project at Chalk River, Ontario by Global First Power, uses helium gas as the coolant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Helium
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