China Achieves Breakthrough in Helium Extraction Technology

A Chinese facility has achieved a major breakthrough in helium extraction technology, producing ultra-pure helium from natural gas. The plant recently completed acceptance testing for its independently developed low-temperature purification and neon removal unit.

This equipment has produced helium with a purity of 99.99997% (6.0 grade), with neon impurity levels below 0.3 parts per million. According to People's Daily Online, a partner of TV BRICS, this represents a significant technological advancement for China, marking the nation's first successful production of 6.0 grade ultra-pure helium from low-content natural gas sources.

Currently, the extraction of helium from natural gas is its sole industrial source. To address the intricate challenge of separating helium and hydrogen, two low-molecular-weight gases, an innovative absorption and dehydrogenation method has been implemented, achieving safe and efficient gas separation. This technique offers significant advantages over other technologies in terms of both gas purity and operational safety.

A new “pressure swing adsorption + membrane separation + adsorption and dehydrogenation” technology for extracting helium from marsh gas has also been integrated into the process, enabling the separation of crude helium, refining, and purification at room temperature.

This can yield helium purity levels exceeding 99.999% and produce hydrogen products with purity levels of over 99.999%. This holistic approach to resource utilisation provides a new pathway for helium resource acquisition, experts claimed.