Air Products and the Role of Technology in Global Helium Supply Chain Security
Recent disruptions in the global helium market have once again highlighted the strategic importance of this gas. These conditions have also increased the need to develop infrastructure for helium recovery, purification, liquefaction, and storage.
Today, various industries require high-purity helium. The semiconductor industry, medical equipment and MRI systems, aerospace, fiber optics, and research centers are among its most important consumers.
In this context, U.S.-based Air Products holds an important position in the global helium industry. The company has been active in helium technology and the helium supply chain for more than five decades. Its activities cover areas such as helium extraction, production, storage, and distribution.
Air Products also has extensive experience in cryogenic technologies. The company’s equipment and technologies are used in various helium recovery and processing facilities around the world.
From Helium Recovery to Liquefaction
Producers typically recover helium from certain helium-bearing natural gas sources. Processing units then remove impurities from the gas stream. These stages ultimately produce high-purity helium.
The helium processing chain can involve several stages. Separation, purification, compression, cooling, and liquefaction are among the most important steps in this process.
Helium liquefaction is considered one of the most complex cryogenic engineering processes. At atmospheric pressure, helium becomes liquid at approximately 4.2 Kelvin, or −269°C.
Achieving such a low temperature requires specialized equipment. Compressors, cryogenic heat exchangers, expansion equipment, and purification systems play important roles in this process. The Cold Box is another key component of a helium liquefaction unit.
Designers of these facilities must also carefully consider energy efficiency. Proper selection of the refrigeration cycle and process equipment has a direct impact on energy consumption and overall plant performance.
Helium: More Than Just an Industrial Gas
Developments in the global market demonstrate that the industry cannot regard helium as merely another conventional industrial gas. A limited number of countries account for a significant share of the world’s helium supply.
Moreover, helium production is closely linked to natural gas processing and certain LNG projects. As a result, disruptions in these industries can also affect the global helium market.
These conditions increase the importance of developing new helium sources. Countries and companies are also paying greater attention to helium recovery, purification, and liquefaction facilities.
Storage and transportation infrastructure is equally important. Liquid helium requires specialized cryogenic tanks and equipment. Proper management of boil-off and reduction of losses also affect the economics of the helium supply chain.
Air Products’ Experience in the Helium Supply Chain
The experience of companies such as Air Products demonstrates that a stable helium supply chain depends on more than the availability of a suitable gas source.
Process technology, cryogenic equipment, and compression systems are essential components of this chain. Liquid helium storage infrastructure and logistics also play a decisive role.
Developing the helium industry therefore requires expertise across multiple engineering disciplines. Process engineering, mechanical engineering, rotating equipment, heat transfer, and cryogenic technologies are among the most important areas of specialization.
Opportunities for Developing the Helium Value Chain
Countries with extensive natural gas resources can assess their potential capabilities in the helium sector. The first step is to identify gas resources containing economically viable concentrations of helium.
Technical and economic feasibility studies then become essential. These studies should evaluate the entire Helium Recovery, Purification and Liquefaction chain as an integrated system.
Developing such infrastructure can reduce dependence on liquid helium imports. The industry also has the potential to create added value in the industrial gases and cryogenic technology sectors.
The experience of Air Products and other companies active in this field highlights an important point: the future of the helium industry depends not only on the availability of helium resources. Technology, processing and liquefaction infrastructure, and diversification of supply sources are also critical factors in determining helium supply security.
