Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Eric A. Taylor on 02/12/2009 16:55:33

Title: Where does the helium used by industry come from?
Post by: Eric A. Taylor on 02/12/2009 16:55:33

Where does the helium used by industry come from? Helium is widely used in industry. Unlike hydrogen which bonds with several other elements helium is inert. It's so light free helium is lost to space leaving little left on Earth. You'd think it would be gone by now but it's not. So where does it come from?

Title: Where does the helium used by industry come from?
Post by: LeeE on 02/12/2009 18:30:32

It comes out of the ground.  Have a read of...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium#Extraction_and_use (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium#Extraction_and_use)

Title: Where does the helium used by industry come from?
Post by: Geezer on 03/12/2009 05:57:27

Note that it is running out, fast. The LHC needs a lot of it too.

Title: Where does the helium used by industry come from?
Post by: Nizzle on 03/12/2009 08:05:22

Hehe, so in the future we'll need Fusion Power plants, not only for the energy, but for the Helium as well...