What is Helium Gas

Helium gas (He) is a noble gas and the second lightest element after hydrogen. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-flammable, and lighter than air. Helium is primarily extracted from underground reservoirs through the radioactive decay of heavy elements.

Properties of Helium Gas

• Lightweight: Helium is the second lightest element after hydrogen and is lighter than air, which is why it is commonly used in balloons and airships.
• Does Not Support Combustion: Unlike hydrogen, helium is non-flammable and does not support combustion.
• Monatomic Gas State, Does Not Form Chemical Compounds: Helium exists as a monatomic gas and does not form chemical compounds, making it ideal for use in medical and industrial applications.
• Good Thermal and Acoustic Conductivity: Helium is important for cooling superconducting magnets in MRI machines due to its excellent thermal and acoustic conductivity.

Applications of Helium Gas

Medical Applications

• MRI Machines: Helium is used to cool superconducting magnets in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines due to its low boiling point and excellent thermal conductivity.
• Breathing Mixtures: Helium is mixed with oxygen to create breathing mixtures for patients with respiratory issues, such as in deep-sea diving or high-altitude environments.

In Industry and Science

• Laser Welding: Helium is used in laser welding and TIG welding to create an inert gas environment.
• Propellant in Aerospace Industry: Helium helps maintain stable pressure in rocket fuel tanks.
• Superconducting Cooling: Helium is used to cool superconducting systems in research and technology

In Life and Entertainment

• Balloon Inflation: Helium is used to inflate balloons, allowing them to float safely compared to hydrogen, as it is non-flammable and much safer.
• Support for deep-sea divers: Helium is mixed into breathing gases to reduce the risk of decompression sickness caused by high pressure.
• Creating a funny voice: Inhaling a small amount of helium temporarily makes the voice sound higher-pitched.

Is Helium Gas Toxic?

Under standard conditions, helium is non-toxic and has no biological role.

Health Effects

The speed of sound in helium is about three times faster than in air. Since the natural resonant frequency of a cavity is proportional to the speed of sound in the gas, inhaling helium increases the resonant frequency of the vocal tract, making the voice sound higher-pitched. However, this amplification of higher frequencies alters the timbre, causing the voice to sound sharp and similar to a duck’s quack. In contrast, inhaling denser gases like sulfur hexafluoride or xenon decreases the resonant frequency.

Inhaling helium can cause other effects such as nausea, dizziness, and fainting.

Most serious health issues and fatalities from inhaling helium are related to inhaling gas from high-pressure containers. Inhaling pure helium for an extended period can lead to oxygen deprivation in the body, which can cause death from asphyxiation.

Inhaling helium from a pressurized container can also cause gas embolism, where gas bubbles become trapped in the bloodstream, obstructing circulation. This can lead to blood vessel rupture and cause hemorrhaging.

Environmental Impact

Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, but on Earth, it is quite rare. It is a non-renewable resource.

Helium is a light and non-reactive element, which means it can easily escape from Earth. In other words, helium actually disappears from Earth and floats directly into space. These characteristics make it impossible to recycle. However, helium does not cause environmental pollution. In fact, it has no negative impact on the environment.

Storage and Safe Handling

• Keep the valve protection cap in place and seal the valve outlet on cylinders in use.
• Separate full and empty cylinders.
• Avoid storing large quantities for extended periods. Apply the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
• Do not lift cylinders by the protective cap. Keep the cylinder secured when in use.
• Use a pressure regulator or separate control valve to safely discharge the gas.
• Do not overheat the cylinder to increase pressure or discharge rate.
• If you encounter difficulties when using the cylinder valve, stop immediately and contact the supplier.
• Do not use tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, or pry bars to open the valve cap, as they can damage.
  the valve and cause gas leakage. If the cap is too tight or corroded, use a spanner wrench to remove it.

VI NA Industrial Gases supplies helium gas in grades 4.6, 5.2, 5.5, and 6.0. Customers can purchase the gas in cylinder bundles, buy the cylinders themselves, or send their empty cylinders for refilling. Helium filling station is located at Lot B5-14, Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City. HCM.

For any inquiries, please contact us at phone number: 028 36 36 4195 or email: info@vinaindgas.com.