Every day, we may come into contact with many fields where helium gas is used. But few people know where helium gas comes from, how helium is formed, and what its current state is. In this article, let’s learn more about this rare gas.
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What is the origin of helium gas?
The element helium was first discovered on August 18, 1868. About 150 years ago by the French astronomer Jules Janssen while he was observing a total solar eclipse.
When the French astronomer and the British astronomer Joseph Lockyer studied the solar eclipse, they used a spectroscope to separate the light bands. They discovered a yellow light band that did not match any previously discovered type. And they named this gas Helium – derived from Helios – meaning the sun.
Since the discovery of helium, the world has achieved many scientific achievements:
- Modern analytical tools from medicine to astrophysics.
- Mobile phones would not be possible without helium in the production process.
How is helium formed?
The element helium is abundant in space, formed as a product of fusion reactions inside stars like the sun.
However, helium that occurs naturally on Earth originates from a different process. Deep inside the Earth, radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium decay and transform into other elements.
A byproduct of these reactions is small fragments called alpha particles, consisting of two neutrons and two protons. Those particles pick up electrons from their surroundings and turn into helium. They gradually rise through the crust and are released into the atmosphere, where they continue to rise until they escape into space.
Where is helium gas found, where does helium gas come from?
As the second lightest element after hydrogen and at the top of the periodic table, helium is not too unfamiliar to us. This gas is easily encountered when it is used to inflate colorful balloons at festivals or events. And it is used for MRI machines to scan patients in hospitals today. So where does helium gas come from?
Where is helium gas found? Helium gas is found in two sources: cosmic gas and raw helium sources on Earth, including in natural gas in natural gas fields or air.
Helium gas is a component, an element found in the universe. Helium gas is lighter than other gases in the atmosphere, so there is no reason for it to stop evaporating – it continues to diffuse and leak out into space.
That’s why there is only a small amount of helium – 0.0005% – in the atmosphere at any given time. Therefore, most of it exists outside the Earth’s atmosphere or in natural gas fields.
Where is helium gas found in the universe
In the universe: scientists have calculated and found that helium accounts for about 24% of the total mass of the universe. It is a product of nuclear fusion reactions involving hydrogen.
In the universe, most helium gas is found in planets and interplanetary environments. This is because nuclear fusion has generated energy for most planets to combine single hydrogen atoms to create helium atoms.
In what form does helium exist?
The chemical element helium exists in liquid form at extremely low temperatures of -269 degrees Celsius.
There is a layer in the Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of about 1,000 km where helium is the dominant gas (although the total pressure caused is very small).
Where does helium gas come from on Earth
On Earth: helium gas is lighter than other gases in the atmosphere and accounts for only a small amount, about 0.0005% at any given time.
Helium on Earth and present in the atmosphere is due to the radioactive decay of heavy elements such as uranium or thorium. They decay through alpha particles or helium nuclei and combine with electrons from the environment to form helium atoms. They escape from the Earth’s surface and into outer space.
The rest is concentrated in natural gas fields, trapped under impermeable rock layers mixed with other natural gases.
How is helium gas produced?
Where does helium gas come from, how is helium gas made? These are issues that many people are interested in and ask. Helium is an inert gas, not reacting with any substances. Therefore, it is very difficult to produce helium gas from chemical reactions. Instead, it is extracted from natural gas.
- Helium gas is separated from natural gas through a fractional distillation process.
- Helium extraction is carried out through industrial processes that filter out other impurities, such as water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide from the gas.
- Finally, a cryogenic processing procedure is used to cool the gas and remove the methane that makes up the majority of it, leaving a crude helium form that is about 50 to 70 percent pure along with small amounts of argon, neon, and hydrogen.
- The crude helium is then refined through a cooling and filtering process that results in a more than 99% pure helium form.
Current state of helium gas in the world
Why do we need helium?
- Helium is a chemically stable element. Non-toxic, non-flammable. Boils at -268 degrees Celsius.
- Some industrial applications, helium is relatively cheap, and there is no alternative.
The state of depletion of rare gas sources
Helium is an inert gas, also known as a rare gas. Because it is an inert gas, it does not react with any substances. So this gas is gradually depleted over time.
With the helium gas production process above, it still does not meet the current demand. The problem is that there are not many places with natural gas fields containing enough helium. Therefore, helium extraction cannot be carried out efficiently at a reasonable cost.
Helium mostly comes from a few sources, including the US government’s National Helium Reserve in Texas. With so much demand for helium in industry, there is not enough for future consumption, which could become a problem that needs alternative solutions.
When helium is depleted as helium reserves become increasingly scarce. This may have the greatest impact on medicine and small-scale scientific research.
For example, the helium shortage could also limit the availability of MRI machines, which become difficult to maintain with less helium available. “Helium is really essential for MRI production,” says Tom Rauch, global sourcing director of GE Health, one of the largest manufacturers of MRI systems.
Use, storage, and distribution of helium gas
Use
Helium is used in many different industries. Depending on the purpose of use, there are different purities: 99.99%, 99.999%, 99.9999%,….
Below are some areas where helium is used
- With its cooling ability, helium gas is often used in metallurgy and to cool the magnets of MRI machines.
- Analysis, experiments,…
- Production of electronic components,…
- With its rapid diffusion ability, helium gas contributes to the medical field when combined with oxygen for use in treating asthma and respiratory diseases.
- Not stopping there, the gas used to inflate diving cylinders, airships, and colorful balloons is also helium gas.
Storage
Helium is compressed at high pressure into compressed gas cylinders. The most common are 7-liter, 40-liter, and 50-liter cylinders.
In addition, liquid helium is stored and preserved in 300L or 500L Dewars.
Distribution
Helium gas is produced by major oil and gas corporations worldwide, stored in compressed gas cylinders, and transported to Vietnam. Here, businesses distribute it to the market for use.
MIG Co., Ltd. is one of the leading enterprises in the field of supplying industrial gases and specialty gases in the Vietnamese market.
Hotline: 093.77.55.800
Hopefully, the information above has helped you answer the questions of where helium gas comes from and where helium gas is found. See more useful information about Helium gas at: Information about Helium
>> Learn more: Where to get pure helium gas in Ho Chi Minh City, how much does it cost?
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