Skip to main content

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


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Sleeping Giant by Marshall Peterson

We share a great amount of information with employees and customers alike to ensure safe interaction with the gases and cylinders we sell. The following poem creatively illustrates the potential danger of pressurized gas. Some of you may recognize this as we have it posted in our store, as well as on our website . Though we do not intend to scare anyone away from using helium or the like, it's important to recognize the risks associated with gas under pressure. It commands great care and respect, as you'll see. A Sleeping Giant I am a compressed gas cylinder. I weigh in at 175 pounds with or without gas. I am pressurized at 2,200 pounds per square inch (psi). I have a wall thickness of about ¼ inch. I stand 57 inches tall. I am 9 inches in diameter. I wear a cap when not in use. I wear valves, gauges, and hoses when at work. I wear many colors and bands to tell what tasks I perform. I transform miscellaneous stacks of material into glistening ships and many ot...

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 ...

The New Helium Customer

Long before Helium Xpress Balloon Wholesale was founded, helium and balloon wholesalers found themselves selling most of their product to gift and flower shops. To say 'times have changed' would be a severe understatement. The New Helium Customer Gift and flower shops, while still relevant and thriving within their industry, are no longer the leading customers for many helium and balloon wholesalers. So who are these new customers? Well, they're a diverse bunch! They include car lots, apartment complexes, balloon decorators and event coordinators. Those may not sound too surprising, but what if I told you the new helium customers also include call centers, hotels, police departments and retail stores that have nothing to do with balloons? It appears helium and balloons are being used to promote new product releases, store openings, office parties, meet marketing objectives and even increase office morale more often. Our customers have come up with some very unique and...