Helium is a rare gas that is in the gaseous state at room temperature and pressure, and has extremely low chemical activity. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, helium plays a crucial role in many industrial and technological applications, including deep-sea diving, balloons and airships, refrigeration and cooling systems, etc. However, with the development of technology and the increasing demand for helium, the supply and cost issues of helium have gradually become prominent. Therefore, recovering and purifying helium has become the key to solving this problem.

1、 Key Technologies for Helium Recovery and Purification

1. Low temperature distillation technology: Low temperature distillation is one of the main methods for helium purification. By cooling the mixed gas to a temperature close to absolute zero, different components of the gas exhibit different boiling points at low temperatures, thus achieving separation. This process requires the use of complex equipment and precise control systems. The key to low-temperature distillation technology is to control parameters such as cooling rate and temperature pressure to ensure the separation of gases with different components.

2. Adsorption technology: Adsorption is another commonly used method for helium purification. It distinguishes helium from other gases by utilizing the physical properties of the adsorbent, such as molecular size and polarity. Commonly used adsorbents include molecular sieves and carbon based adsorbents. The key to adsorption technology is to choose appropriate adsorbents and adsorption conditions, such as temperature, pressure, airflow speed, etc., to ensure adsorption effect and separation efficiency.

3. Membrane separation technology: Membrane separation technology is a new method for helium recovery and purification. It utilizes the physical properties of membrane materials to separate helium from other gases. Membrane materials have molecular size selectivity, allowing helium molecules to pass through while blocking other larger molecules. The key to membrane separation technology is to choose appropriate membrane materials and process conditions to ensure separation efficiency and permeation flux.

4. Pressure swing adsorption technology: Pressure swing adsorption technology is a method that combines adsorption and pressure regulation, used for recovering and purifying helium gas. Under high pressure, the adsorbent can adsorb helium and other gases, and under low pressure, only helium will be desorbed. Through this technology, the recovery and purification of helium can be achieved. The key to pressure swing adsorption technology is to select suitable adsorbents, optimize adsorption and desorption pressures, and cycle cycles.

5. Supercritical extraction technology: Supercritical extraction technology is a new type of separation technology that can be used to recover and purify helium gas. In supercritical states, fluids can exhibit both liquid and gas phase properties. By using this technology, helium can be separated from other gases. The key to supercritical extraction technology is to select appropriate extraction agents, operating pressure, and temperature parameters to ensure extraction efficiency and selectivity.

2、 Development Trends

With the continuous progress of technology and the increasing demand for helium, the recovery and purification technology of helium is also constantly developing. In the future, the development trends of these technologies may include the following aspects:

1. Efficiency: With the increasing demand for helium, improving the efficiency of helium recovery and purification has become crucial. Future technologies need to be able to recover and purify helium more efficiently to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

2. Energy efficiency: The process of recovering and purifying helium requires a large amount of energy consumption, so energy conservation has become the key. Future technologies need to be able to reduce energy consumption in order to achieve more energy-efficient and sustainable development.

3. Intelligence: With the development of intelligent technology, future helium recovery and purification technologies may also become more intelligent, achieving more automated and intelligent operations and management.

4. Widely used: With the increasing demand for helium and the expansion of its application fields, future helium recovery and purification technologies may also be more widely applied in various fields, such as aerospace, hospitals, scientific research, etc.

3、 Conclusion

The recovery and purification of helium is an important technology, which is of great significance for solving the problems of helium supply and cost. This article introduces the key technologies for helium recovery and purification, including physical or chemical methods such as low-temperature distillation, adsorption, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and supercritical extraction. The development trends of these technologies may include efficiency, energy conservation, intelligence, and widespread application. In the future, with the continuous progress of technology and the expansion of application fields, we need to continuously explore and develop new technologies and methods to better meet the growing demand and reduce costs.