The Resource Potential and Development Prospect of Helium in Changqing Gas Field
Table 2
Method of helium extraction from natural gases [34].
Nonlow temperature
Low temperature
Method
Adsorption
Membrane osmosis
Absorption
Diffusion
Deep cooling
Rationale
Using the different adsorption capacities of each component on the solid adsorbent surface to extract helium. PSA (pressure swing adsorption) is an improved method.
Using osmotic membranes to permeate other gases selectively to extract helium. Primary membrane separation decreases the gas volume by 5 to 5.5 times.
When washed in the detergent, components with boiling points higher than helium are absorbed. It is often used with PSA.
Use the high diffusion of helium for extraction.
Use different gas solidification points to separate helium from other gases.
Application conditions
Limited to adsorption capacity, with simple process and less equipment. Only applicable to crude helium refining with impurity content of less than 10%.
Low recovery rate. Reliability and stability need to be improved.
Only applicable for gases with high helium contents.
Extremely fine quartz glass capillaries and great differences in high temperatures and high pressures are required. Many limitations exist.
With wide applications, high recovery rates, and good reliability and stability. However, the system is complex.
