Helium

Physical Properties

• Colorless, Odorless and Tasteless: Helium is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.

• Inert: Helium is a chemically inert gas and generally does not react with other elements.

• Low Density: Helium has a lower density than other gases in the atmosphere.

• Liquefaction at Low Temperatures: Helium becomes liquid at -268.9 °C at atmospheric pressure.

 

Production

• Natural Gas Distillation: Helium can be obtained during the distillation of natural gas. The small amount of helium in natural gas is isolated in special facilities.

 

Areas of Use

• Medical Applications: The use of helium in medical fields is usually found in mixed gases. It can be used especially in respiratory therapies and in the treatment of some respiratory problems.

• Refrigerant and Superconductivity: Helium can be used to cool superconducting magnets at low temperatures and in superconducting computer chips.

• Space Research: It can be used as rocket fuel and for cooling in space exploration.

• Entertainment and Decorative Use: Helium is widely used to inflate balloons.

 

Safety

• Helium is generally safe because it is an inert gas.

• However, the liquid form of the gas requires careful handling as it is at low temperatures.

 

Helium is a versatile gas with a wide range of applications. It is widely used both in respiratory therapies in the medical field and in industrial and scientific applications.