As a commodity, helium is in increased demand and scarce supply. This situation places pressure on existing helium production capacities and has stimulated the need for developing intelligent technologies that conserve helium resources. There are a number of recycling and recovery methods available today that can help limit the consumption of this valuable element in helium application processes, and at the same time have no adverse effect on the final product.
Helium molecules are very small and this is what makes helium the preferred gas choice for detecting and locating minute leaks in pressure and vacuum systems, or in confirming the absence of leaks. Helium leak detectors are suitable for many applications including those in the aerospace, semiconductor, nuclear, cryogenic vacuum, refrigeration, food, and automotive industries.
Price increases for helium put constant pressure on the cost of leak detection applications. In addition, helium supply can become limited and users can be subjected to a reduction in the supply of the gas needed for their process applications. This combination of rising price and dwindling supply can have an enormous impact on the leak detection process — both in terms of operating cost and procedures. Today, companies are searching for ways to reduce costs for helium testing by reducing consumption of this gas. Reducing use can be done by finding alternative gases or gas mixtures that can be used for leak testing, or by recovering and recycling helium in the application process.
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