Helium gas and 11 applications of Helium in everyday life

Helium Overview

Helium, with the chemical symbol He and atomic number 2, is the second most abundant chemical element in the universe. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic gas. Helium is a monatomic inert gas, and it occupies the first position among the noble gases in the periodic table. Among all elements, helium has the lowest boiling and melting points.

Physical properties

• Helium gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless.
• It has melting points -272⁰C and boiling point -268.9^°C. of any element. It has the lowest boiling and melting points of any element.
• Thermal conductivity: Helium has a relatively high thermal conductivity of 0,152W m^-1K^-1. This makes it an excellent heat transfer medium, commonly used in cooling and refrigeration devices.
• Vaporization: Helium has a rapid vaporization rate, it easily transitions from a liquid to a gas.
• Density: The density of helium at standard conditions is approximately 0.00001785 g/m^³.

Chemical properties

• Helium is a chemically inert element and does not form chemical compounds. It is non-flammable and insoluble in water.
• Helium is found outside the Earth’s atmosphere in a plasma state. The presence of free electrons in the plasma state leads to extremely high electrical conductivity, allowing helium to conduct electricity well under specific conditions.

There are numerous applications of Helium in every day life. This is because Helium has many unique properties, including a low boiling point, low density, low solubility, high thermal conductivity, and inertness. 

The main applications of helium:

1. Lifting gas: Helium is used as a lifting gas for weather balloons and airships. With its low density, helium generates enough lift to elevate the entire balloon into the air. 
2. Use in Welding Industry: Helium is used as a shielding gas in the welding process. When combined with other gases, helium helps prevent oxidation and the effects of air on the weld points, ensuring the quality and durability of the welded structures.
3. Oil and Gas Industry: Helium is used in the drilling process for oil and gas to reduce friction and cool drilling tools. It is also employed in oil and gas processing to control pressure and ensure safety.
4. Thermal Power Industry: Helium is used in thermal generators – power generators as a coolant. Its high thermal conductivity helps dissipate heat efficiently, maintaining the performance and reliability of thermal power systems.
5. Used in Telecommunications Technology: Helium is used in the process of drying optical fibers. Helium gas does not chemically interact with materials and does not damage optical fibers, helping to maintain the quality of the transmission.
6. Medicine and Imaging Diagnostics: Helium is used in imaging machines such as CT and MRI scanners to produce accurate and detailed images of the body. It is also utilized in respiratory support processes and pulmonary function testing.
7. Carrier Gas in Gas Chromatography: It is also used as a carrier gas in gas chromatography, helping to separate and analyze various compounds.
8. Entertainment and Festivals: Helium is used to inflate balloons and create small pops at parties and events.
9. Breathing gas for Divers: To ensure the safety of divers and those working in deep-sea environments, an artificial atmosphere is created with 20% oxygen and 80% helium.
10. Production of Germanium and Silicon Crystals: Helium is used in the production of germanium and silicon crystals, which are important in the semiconductor industry.
11. Pipeline Leak Detection: Helium is used for pipeline leak detection due to its ability to diffuse rapidly through solids compared to air.

VI NA Industrial Gases supplies Helium gas in cylinders and offers refilling services at Helium extraction & filling station at Lot B5-14, Tan Phu Trung Industrial Zone, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City.