Helium
Helium is a chemical element with the symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and inert noble gas, making it chemically stable and non-reactive under normal conditions. Here are some key characteristics and uses of helium:
Abundance: Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen. However, it is relatively scarce on Earth, comprising only about 0.0005% of the atmosphere.
Chemical Inertness: Helium is a noble gas, belonging to Group 18 of the periodic table. It does not readily form compounds with other elements due to its stable electron configuration.
Low Boiling and Melting Points: Helium has the lowest boiling and melting points of all the elements. This characteristic makes it unique and allows it to remain in a gaseous state even at extremely low temperatures.
Lighter Than Air: Helium is lighter than air, which gives it the ability to lift objects. It is commonly used as a lifting gas in balloons, airships, and blimps due to its low density.
Cryogenic Applications: Helium is often used as a cryogenic coolant for various applications, including in superconducting magnets, medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, and certain laboratory experiments.
Gas Shielding: In welding and other metalworking processes, helium is sometimes used as a shielding gas to prevent oxidation and improve the stability of the arc.
Leak Detection: Because helium is inert and does not react with other substances, it is used for leak detection in various industrial and scientific applications.
Medical Applications: Helium-oxygen mixtures, known as heliox, are used in medicine to assist patients with respiratory conditions. The lower density of helium allows for easier breathing, particularly in cases of airway obstructions.
Space Exploration: Helium is used in various instruments and systems in space exploration missions due to its unique properties, including its low density and inertness.
While helium has diverse applications, it is crucial to note that it is a non-renewable resource on Earth. Its extraction and conservation are important considerations to ensure a stable supply for various scientific, industrial, and medical purposes.
Available Helium Purities
Pure Helium(Balloon Gas) | 99.995% |
High Purity Helium (5.0) | 99.999% |
Research Grade Helium (6.0) | 99.9999% |
Liquid Helium | 99.999% (min.) |
We can supply helium in Dewars as liquid and in high pressure cylinders as gas.
Cylinder Sizes and Gas Volumes
Water Volume | Filling Pressure | Gas Volume |
50 lt | 200 bar | 9.1 m3 |
40 lt | 150 bar | 5.46 m3 |
10 lt | 200 bar | 1.82 m3 |
10 lt | 150 bar | 1.36 m3 |