Gaseous helium is one of the most elusive and hard to contain gases on the planet. As the second lightest gas next to hydrogen, it has many industrial uses and is of critical importance as a process gas. Gaseous helium requires robust and tight-sealing valves and fittings in order to properly contain and disperse it.
Helium is usually produced as a by-product of natural gas processing in the course of removing nitrogen, water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), helium, and other non-combustible materials to improve the heat energy of the natural gas.1
Extraction of crude helium from natural gas typically requires three steps which include removal of impurities, extraction of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, and cryogenic processing, which removes most of any remaining methane gas. Further purification of helium via activated charcoal absorbers or pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) processes is required in order to yield helium purities of 99.99% or better.2
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