Helium

Introduction-

Helium (He) is a chemical element that belongs to the Periodic Table’s Group 18 (Noble Gases). Helium is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that becomes liquid at 268.9 °C (452 °F), making it the second lightest element (only hydrogen is lighter). Helium has the lowest boiling and freezing values of any material known to man.

Helium is used as an inert gas environment for welding metals like aluminium, in rocket propulsion (to pressurize fuel tanks, particularly those for liquid hydrogen, since only helium remains a gas at liquid hydrogen temperature), and in meteorology (as a lifting gas for instrument-carrying balloons).

Where does Helium come from?

Now we will learn more about where we get Helium from, lowest melting and boiling point, temperatures near absolute zero and lastly at how it is recovered from natural gas deposits.

Where do we get Helium from-

Natural gas resources provide the majority of the helium. Helium, although being the most abundant element in the cosmos, is very scarce on Earth. Deep below, helium is produced by the natural radioactive decay of materials like uranium and thorium. The formation of helium might take years or millennia. Helium penetrates through the earth’s crust after its production and becomes trapped in natural gas pockets. It is produced as a by-product of fusion processes inside stars. However, the amount of helium gas that can be found on Earth and stored in helium gas tanks for use in a variety of important applications is limited. 

Helum-4 is a form of helium gas that is naturally created underground by the radioactive breakdown and decay of specific materials like uranium and thorium. This reaction produces alpha-particles with two neutrons and two protons. These microscopic particles subsequently absorb electrons from their surroundings and combine to produce helium, which eventually travels through the earth’s crust and into space.

Using sophisticated equipment, it is then removed from these pockets. The United States’ gas resources, such as those in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, provide the majority of the world’s helium consumption. Canada, Qatar, China, Algeria, Russia, and Poland have smaller supplies. Helium, being lighter than air, can defy gravity and travel to the furthest reaches of the universe. Helium sources are therefore termed non-renewable or non-replenishable since recycling helium is difficult.

Lowest melting and boiling point-

First, we will take a look of what do we mean by melting point and boiling point-

Melting point- A substance’s melting point is the temperature at which a solid and liquid phase may coexist in equilibrium, as well as the temperature at which matter transitions from solid to liquid form. Pure liquids and solutions are described as “pure.” Because the melting point is affected by pressure, it should be mentioned. Melting point tables are usually at standard pressures, such as 100 kPa or 1 atmosphere. The liquefaction point is the same as the melting point.

Boiling point- The temperature at which a liquid’s vapor pressure matches the external pressure around the liquid is known as the boiling point. As a result, a liquid’s boiling point is affected by air pressure. As the external pressure is lowered, the boiling point drops. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) at sea level, but above 6,600 feet, it boils at 93.4 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) (200.1 F).

Coming onto the lowest melting and boiling point of Helium, as the energy necessary to break bonds and alter the state of a molecule/atom is known as melting/boiling points. If the bonds between helium atoms are weaker, less heat/energy is needed to break them.

Van der Waals interactions occur between helium atoms, resulting in lower melting/boiling points. In general, the greater the van der Waal force of contact, the heavier the molecule. The boiling point of a substance is determined by its van der Waals and molecular mass, so Helium has the lowest melting and boiling point of all the elements.

Melting point = -272.2 °C 

Boiling point =−268.9 °C (−452 °F).

of He.

Temperatures near absolute zero-

The limit of cold lies at absolute zero (0 Kelvin, -273.15°C, or -459.67°F). Helium changes from a gas to a fluid with zero viscosity at this moment, allowing it to flow without losing kinetic energy.

Superfluidity, the frictionless flow and other unusual behaviour found in liquid helium at temperatures near absolute zero (273.15 °C, or 459.67 °F), and analogous frictionless behaviour of electrons in a superconducting solid (less often used). The strange behaviour is caused by quantum mechanical processes in each situation.

How it is recovered from natural gas deposits-

A cryogenic pipe system is often used to remove helium from natural gas. The natural gas is sent through a sieve after being compressed. Helium is extracted from natural gas throughout the process, leaving just crude helium behind. Because the crude helium is only approximately 50% pure at this stage, further purification operations are necessary.

 The temperature of the crude helium is next reduced to -315 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing any remaining nitrogen or methane gases to liquefy and be readily drained from the gas. The heat on the helium is then increased, and oxygen is introduced to the gas, causing any residual hydrogen particles to combine with the oxygen and form water. The mixture’s volume is reduced and the water is drained after the water vapours have developed.

After the water is removed, the Helium is pumped into tanks containing small particles to further sanitize the gas (think of the carbon water filters in most homes today). This process is continued until the Helium is a pure speciality gas with a purity of 99.99 percent.

Conclusion-

In this article we read about how we get Helium from, its lowest melting and boiling point, temperatures near absolute zero and lastly at how it is recovered from natural gas deposits. It has great significance in our lives as Helium is used as an inert gas for welding metals such as aluminium, in rocket propulsion (to pressurize fuel tanks, especially those for liquid hydrogen, because only helium remains a gas at liquid hydrogen temperature); in meteorology (as a lifting gas for instrument-carrying balloons); in cryogenics (as a coolant because liquid helium is the coldest substance); and in high-pressure breathing operations (mixed with oxygen, as in scuba diving and caisson work, especially because of its low solubility in the bloodstream). Helium concentration in meteorites and rocks has been examined for dating purposes.