A versatile gas, helium is primarily used in various processes across Saudi Arabia industries. From welding and metallurgy to cooling superconducting magnets, it plays an essential role in different applications.
Helium gas is more than just lifting balloons:
Helium is a noble gas commonly known for its use in balloon inflation. However, this noble gas has more to offer than just lifting balloons. The use of helium dates to the early 1900s for medical purposes.
Nowadays, there are multiple industries that depend on it in production processes such as electronics and semiconductor manufacturing and medical imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Due to its stability as it does not react with other elements, it creates a contamination-free environment and becomes an essential industrial component.
Helium gas Physical and Chemical properties:
- Inert Gas
- Lightweight
- Low-density
- Colorless
- Non-flammable
- Low boiling
- High electronegativity
- Low reactivity to most materials
Helium is one of the most valuable industrial components:
Firstly, this rare element proves beneficial in numerous areas as a versatile element. Secondly, it can remain in gaseous condition, even at extremely cold temperatures. Thirdly, it provides exceptional insulation against heat transfer between objects.
Common applications of Helium gas in Saudi Arabia industries:
Welding and cutting technologies:
- Helium applications are commonly used in metal fabrication and construction engineering.
- Due to its low ignition temperature, it increases safety and reduces the risk while working with heated equipment.
- Additionally, gas-cutting techniques employ Helium because of its non-reactive nature such as cutting metals without sparks.
- Helium gas plays an essential role in Arc welding and laser cutting technology.
- Pure Air Industrial Gases Co. provides various types of welding equipment in Saudi Arabia including gas-welding, gas-cutting equipment, gas manifold systems for Industrial and Medical usage.
- Cooling and lubrication
- Helium gas has the invaluable ability to cool and lubricate in many applications, from manufacturing to medical technology.
- It is ideal for use in liquefaction and refrigeration.
- As a coolant and lubricant element power plants and laboratory freezers depend on Helium in the cooling system.
- Manufacturing processes
- It can help reduce material oxidation.
- Remaining safe for operators at high temperatures
- An effective cooling agent during welding operations.
- Leak detection systems
- It is an effective leak detector.
- It can detect even the smallest leaks in industrial systems such as refrigeration and air conditioning units.
- Helium leak detectors are accurate and non-toxic.
- Safe and affordable compared to alternative testing methods.
Helium gas handling safety precautions:
As a versatile element that provides a wide range of applications, there are specific instructions for handling helium to prevent accidents or injuries. Therefore, the following guidelines are important while handling Helium gas:
- Primarily, ensure that containers are sealed tightly, to avoid potential combustible materials around the cylinder valves and keep them away from open flames or sources of heat.
- Then, consider proper ventilation, and sufficient lighting near the working area.
- Use appropriate protective gear such as gloves and goggles while transporting cylinders.
- Further, utilize specialized tools to open valves on pressurized tanks.
- Check cylinders to inspect any signs of damage or leakage before usage.
- Store cylinders upright in an isolated area away from other chemical compounds, to prevent hazardous reactions if mixed with helium.
