Helium is a noble gas that is essential to many industries and scientific research. It is a non-renewable resource, so it is important to know how to obtain it. The two main ways of obtaining helium are natural gas production and the liquefaction of air.
Natural gas production
Helium is a by-product of natural gas production. Natural gas contains about 0.3% helium. To obtain helium from natural gas, the gas is passed through a separation process that removes the helium from the other gases. This process is expensive and can take a long time, but it is the most efficient way to obtain helium.
Liquefaction of air
Air contains about 0.0005% helium. To obtain helium from air, it must first be liquefied. This is done by cooling the air until it turns into a liquid. Then, the liquid air is passed through a separation process that removes the helium from the other gases. This process is not as efficient as natural gas production, but it is cheaper and faster.
Storage and transport
Once helium is obtained, it must be stored and transported. Helium is stored in large tanks, either in liquid or gas form. It can be transported by truck, train, or ship. The tanks must be well-insulated to prevent the helium from leaking.
Uses of helium
Helium has many uses, both industrial and scientific. It is used in welding, deep-sea diving, rocketry, and cryogenics. It is also used in medical imaging, such as MRI and NMR. In addition, helium is used in scientific research, such as particle accelerators and superconductivity.
Conclusion
Helium is an essential resource for many industries and scientific research. It is a non-renewable resource, so it is important to know how to obtain it. The two main ways of obtaining helium are natural gas production and the liquefaction of air. Once helium is obtained, it must be stored and transported, and it has many uses, both industrial and scientific.