Helium
(information)
Known Methods of Extraction
### **Primary Methods (Commercial Scale)** 1. **Natural Gas Processing**: - Helium is extracted as a byproduct from natural gas containing helium concentrations (typically >0.3%). - Involves cooling and separating helium using cryogenic distillation or pressure-swing adsorption (PSA). 2. **Cryogenic Distillation**: - Separates helium from natural gas by cooling the gas mixture to extremely low temperatures. - Helium remains gaseous while other components (e.g., methane, nitrogen) liquefy. 3. **Pressure-Swing Adsorption (PSA)**: - Uses adsorbent materials (like activated carbon or zeolites) to selectively separate helium at specific pressures. 4. **Membrane Separation**: - Helium is separated from natural gas using specialized membranes that allow helium to pass through more readily than other gases. 5. **Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plants**: - During LNG production, helium is separated from methane and other hydrocarbons. --- ### **Alternative Sources** 6. **Helium Extraction from Helium-Rich Wells**: - Some natural gas fields (e.g., in the U.S. and Qatar) have helium concentrations exceeding 7%, making direct extraction more feasible. 7. **Extraction from Carbon Dioxide Wells**: - Certain carbon dioxide wells (e.g., in the U.S.) contain significant helium, which can be separated during CO₂ processing. 8. **Extraction from Oil Fields**: - Helium is sometimes found dissolved in crude oil and can be captured during oil processing. --- ### **Unconventional and Emerging Methods** 9. **Atmospheric Extraction**: - Helium is present in trace amounts (~5 ppm) in the atmosphere. Extraction is highly energy-intensive but is being explored with advanced adsorption and compression technologies. 10. **Uranium and Thorium Decay**: - Helium-4 is produced as a byproduct of radioactive decay in minerals like uraninite. Mining and processing these minerals can release helium. 11. **Basalt Rock Extraction**: - Certain basalt formations trap helium; innovative methods are being developed to extract helium from these rocks. 12. **Helium Extraction from Volcanic Gases**: - Volcanic emissions contain trace amounts of helium that could be extracted using adsorption techniques. 13. **Coal Bed Methane Extraction**: - Helium can be captured during methane extraction from coal seams. --- ### **Experimental and Future Methods** 14. **Direct Air Capture**: - Technologies similar to CO₂ air capture are being adapted to extract helium from ambient air. 15. **Nuclear Reaction Products**: - Helium can be harvested from nuclear reactors where alpha particle emissions create helium gas. 16. **Deep Earth Helium Reserves**: - Advanced drilling techniques are being explored to access deep helium reservoirs. 17. **Geothermal Steam**: - Helium dissolved in geothermal steam is a potential resource, though recovery is not yet widespread. 18. **Asteroid or Lunar Mining**: - In the long term, extraterrestrial sources (e.g., lunar regolith with helium-3) may become viable. --- ### **Recycling and Recovery** 19. **Recycling Helium from Industrial Use**: - Helium used in industries like MRI machines and welding can be captured, purified, and reused. 20. **Leak Recovery Systems**: - Helium leaks from industrial processes can be recovered using specialized vacuum and absorption systems.