Helium

A Vital natural resource with many significant applications

Helium is a rare gas widely used as a liquid in superconductivity applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In its gaseous state Helium is extensively used for optical fibre manufacture, metal fabrication, chromatography, leak detection, lighter than air applications and mixed with Oxygen, as a breathing gas for deep sea diving.

The principal source of Helium on earth is natural gas wells where Helium from the crude natural gases stream and purified. Most of the Helium in the world comes from the natural gas deposits found in the Panhandle area of the USA, Algeria, Russia and Poland.

Helium demand has increased to the point where demand will shortly outstrip production. The traditional Helium gas bearing fields in the Panhandle area of the USA are in decline with producers looking to purchase some of the US Government owned 30 billion standard cubic feet stockpile to maintain the efficient running of the already established Helium production plants. This situation requires suppliers to look for alternative and new sources.

A secure supply of this rare gas is of paramount importance to Linde Gas Helium customers. In addition to the new Helium production plant in Algeria, Linde have supply contracts with major producers in the USA and Russia. This ensures Linde have a secure supply route to meet its customers demands.

In the UK Linde have two major Helium transfill locations at Aberdeen in Scotland and Eynsham in Oxfordshire. Both plants supply gaseous Helium to all locations in the UK. The Aberdeen plant is located at the centre of the North Sea oil production and exploration business and supplies Helium breathing mixtures for deep sea diving, whilst the Eynsham plant is located for the supply of liquid Helium to the superconductivity magnet manufacturers and scientific research establishments concentrated in the Oxfordshire area.

In order to facilitate the conservation of this rare gas, Linde operate a Helium Reliquefaction plant at its Eynsham facility, capable of reliquefying 2.5 million litres of liquid Helium per year. In order to support existing and new customers Linde offer full management and facilities management support in the handling of this rare gas.



The left hand picture shows Helium Liquefiers at our Eynsham Depot.
The right hand picture shows a Helium Dewar at our Eynsham Depot.

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