Helium – essential for many medical and industrial processes – is in critically short supply worldwide. Production is also associated with significant carbon emissions, contributing to climate change. This study provides a new concept in gas field formation to explain why, in rare places, helium
Helium is a gas vital for MRI scanners and high-tech industry – which is suffering from severe supply issues. Now research has identified a new concept in helium gas field formation that will help secure this rare gas for society. Here a tube of helium is seen glowing in the presence of a plasma ball. Credit: Oliver Warr – University of Ottawa; AEL AMS Laboratory
Dr. Anran Cheng , lead author of the study, said: “Our model shows the importance of factoring in the high diffusivity of helium and the long timescales needed to accumulate significant gas quantities, and the fact that the entire geological system acts dynamically to affect the process. This model provides a new perspective to help identify the environments that slow helium gases down enough to accumulate in commercial amounts.
Such a process can take hundreds of millions of years, but when it happens the associated helium escapes from the water into the gas bubbles. These bubbles rise, because of buoyancy, towards the surface until they hit a rock type that doesn’t allow the bubbles through. According to the model, the helium-rich gas bubbles then collect beneath the seal and form a substantial gas field.
Helium is a $6 billion market, with the gas being essential for the operation of MRI scanners, computer chips and fiber optic manufacture, and state-of-the-art nuclear and cryogenic applications. A current global shortage has pushed supplies almost to a crisis point, with prices skyrocketing in recent years. The situation has been escalated by the Ukraine war, since this ruled out helium being supplied from the new Russian Amur plant, planned to supply 35% of the global helium demand.
Dr. Anran Cheng preparing equipment in the Ballentine Laboratory for the measurement of helium isotopes in geological samples. Credit: John Cairns
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How much snow fell in New York City, New York, New Jersey, and ConnecticutOur first significant winter storm of the season produced a wide range of snow accumulations across the Tri-State area.
Read more »
7 sheep getting a new 'fleece' on life after escaping New Jersey slaughterhouseOne stray sheep ran from Paterson to Hawthorne and eventually was captured in Fair Lawn. A farm in Sussex County will take in the wayward sheep.
Read more »
Early Addition: In retrospect, the New York/New Jersey MetroStars was a fun team nameCardi B's community service in NYC has been a journey, so here are your morning links: The British superfans who love MLS, the NYC Dept. of Transportation misspelled Jackie Robinson's name, the Pentagon wants soldiers to avoid poppy seed muffins and more.
Read more »
'Biggest snowstorm of the season' likely for New York City and parts of New EnglandFederal forecasters said what is likely to be the 'biggest snowstorm of the season' could leave accumulated snow on the streets of New York City on Tuesday morning.
Read more »