Applications of Helium

It's no secret, in our industry, that helium is used to fill party balloons for decorative purposes. And, as we all know, balloons float as a result of helium being lighter than air. However, most people don't realize where helium comes from or how it's used outside of the party industry.

Helium is formed by decay of radioactive elements and is extracted as a byproduct of natural gas. Many may be aware of the helium shortage from a couple years ago, and it's said another 'shortage' may be around the corner. Luckily, a new helium source was recently discovered and this should help with future supply. Keep in mind that it will take time to allocate the resources and draw up contracts with different helium manufacturers.

So how is helium used? Well, besides making balloons float, helium is widely used in the medical, meteorological and laser technology sectors, to name a few. MRI machines use helium to cool the superconducting magnets. Meteorological balloons (as well as blimps and airships) are inflated with helium. Hydrogen was once the gas of choice for these types of balloons, but helium is a much safer alternative as it is non-flammable. From laser eye surgery to scanning a barcode, helium is utilized and critical to their functionality.

All of a sudden a floating balloon seems like the least impressive application of helium, right? For more information on helium and its various uses, read this.

Written by: Miriam E. Medellin

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Helium Cylinder Refills

At Helium Xpress, we can and do refill helium cylinders. However, there are certain criteria that must be met for us to legally and safely do so. Please note if you purchased a Balloon Time kit from a store such as Party City or Walmart, these tanks are disposable and cannot be refilled. If you have an industrial cylinder, please continue to determine your refill eligibility. Who Owns the Cylinder? This may sound like a trick question, but it's not. The answer to this question provides us with valid and important information regarding whether or not we can refill your cylinder. You might believe you are the owner of the cylinder because it's been on your property for as a long as you can remember, it has a self-made tag with your business name on it or because you personally paid for the cylinder. However, in some cases, it's still not your cylinder. This is why it's very important to purchase helium cylinders from a trusted source. Let us explain. The owner

Cylinder Sizes

We often get asked for height and weight measurements of helium cylinders. Whether you're renting or purchasing, it's good to know exactly what you're getting. It needs to meet your needs with regards to output, but in many cases, it also needs to be easily transported. If you plan to be mobile while using your cylinder, make sure it's something you're comfortable transporting. Will you be able load it into a vehicle unassisted? If not, will someone be available to help you? Do you plan on transporting it a lot or just occasionally? These are just a few questions to ask yourself when deciding on a cylinder size. Consider the following information to assist in your decision-making. Small Cylinder 55 cu. ft. Inflates approximately 65 12" latex balloons Stands 27" tall and is approximately 8.5" in diameter Weighs in at 26 lbs.* (aluminum cylinder) Medium Cylinder 125 cu. ft. Inflates approximately 200 12" latex balloons Stands

How Much is Enough?

If you've ever asked this question, you're not alone. The amount of helium needed to complete a job is sometimes difficult to determine. We provide a small chart on our website to guide customers toward the appropriate amount of helium. However, this chart assumes that all balloons being inflated are the same size. When you're dealing with a combination of different sizes of latex and foil balloons, you need more specific information. Thankfully, Qualatex has provided a chart which lists the helium capacity of most sizes and types of balloons. It's a great resource that makes calculating exactly how much helium is needed much easier. Next time you're inflating a wide variety of balloons, simply refer to this guide: Qualatex Helium Chart Remember that overinflating or underinflating will adjust the numbers shown. Ensuring you have some extra helium is always wise. Give yourself some wiggle room and consider popped balloons, as well as discrepancies in size

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