Context
- China has temporarily suspended helium exports amid fears of global supply disruptions caused by escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
- Despite producing only 1.6% of global helium and importing over 80% of its own requirements, China’s ban is seen as a strategic measure to safeguard its domestic semiconductor (chip manufacturing) and medical sectors amidst global supply strains and tit-for-tat geopolitical moves with the U.S.
Why is Helium Considered a Strategic Resource?
Helium is considered a strategic resource due to its critical role in advanced technologies and national security.
- Semiconductor Industry: Used for cooling silicon wafers and preventing contamination during chip manufacturing.
- Medical Sector: Liquid helium cools superconducting magnets in MRI machines and other cryogenic equipment.
- Space and Defence: Essential for rocket propulsion systems, satellites, and missile technologies.
- Scientific Research: Used in particle accelerators, quantum computing, and low-temperature experiments.
- Electronics and Fibre Optics: Important for manufacturing fibre-optic cables and high-performance electronic devices.
What is Helium?
- Helium (He) is the second-lightest element and the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen.
- It is a noble gas (Group 18) with atomic number 2.
- It is chemically inert, colourless, odourless, and non-toxic.
- Helium has the lowest boiling point among all elements (−268.9°C).
- It remains liquid only at extremely low temperatures.
- Due to its non-reactive nature, helium is classified as an inert gas.
How is Helium Produced?
- Helium is a non-renewable natural resource and it is primarily extracted from natural gas fields.
- It is produced naturally through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium deep within the Earth’s crust.
- Over millions of years, helium accumulates in natural gas reservoirs.
- It is commercially extracted only when natural gas contains at least 0.3% helium.
- Helium is separated from natural gas using cryogenic distillation, exploiting its unique boiling point.
- Commercial helium is typically purified to 99.997% purity.
Why Is Helium Difficult to Store and Transport?
- Helium liquefies at extremely low temperatures.
- It must be stored in highly specialised cryogenic containers.
- The gas can be stored in underground salt caverns, which reduce leaks significantly.
- The gas can easily leak because helium atoms are extremely small.
- During transportation, some helium evaporates continuously.
- Building helium storage infrastructure requires huge investments.
- Helium can only be transported in vacuum-jacketed stainless steel vessels — which are manufactured by relatively few companies worldwide, including several Chinese ones.
Major Global Producers
- United States: The largest producer, meeting 43% of the global supply.
- Qatar: Meets 33% of global demand, acting as a major supplier to Asian markets.
- Other Key Producers: Russia, Canada, and Algeria.
With reference to Helium, consider the following statements:
1. Helium is produced naturally through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium within the Earth's crust.
2. Helium is commercially extracted mainly from natural gas reservoirs.
3. Helium has the highest boiling point among all elements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
• Statement 1 is Correct: Helium is formed naturally through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium deep inside the Earth's crust.
• Statement 2 is Correct: Helium is primarily extracted from natural gas fields containing commercially viable concentrations.
• Statement 3 is Incorrect: Helium has the lowest boiling point among all elements (−268.9°C).