China ushered in good news in the new year, successfully producing high-purity helium. After the painstaking research of China Coal Science and Industry Group, China's first helium-containing coalbed methane extraction high-purity helium device has been successfully applied, realizing the independent development and utilization of helium resources. This breakthrough is of great significance, not only because it means that China has further improved in the field of helium technology, but also because it is a successful countermeasure to the United States in helium technology, which once again reduces the possibility of it being stuck in China's neck.
The new set of high-purity helium unit adopts the advanced process of extracting helium from coalbed methane, and uses a variety of key separation technologies such as pressure swing adsorption and membrane separation. The application of these technologies makes it possible to efficiently separate coalbed methane with a purity of up to 99 even though it contains a large amount of carbon dioxideMore than 999% high-purity helium. At the same time, the remaining coalbed methane can still be used as fuel gas for power generation, realizing the efficient development and utilization of coalbed methane and helium resources.
Helium is known as the "best gas" and plays a vital role in the development of high-tech industries. As an indispensable and precious strategic resource, helium plays an important role in modern industry. It is a noble and inert gas, and it is also one of the lightest gases with high safety. Therefore, it is widely used in the fields of filling balloons, protecting sensitive media, and rocket launches.
In the electronics industry, helium plays a protective role in the chip production process. In the production of a specific material called monocrystalline silicon, high-purity polysilicon is placed in a quartz crucible and continuously heated by a heater. To prevent chemical reactions caused by high temperatures, helium is required for protection. In addition, the sensitive media inside the electronic components also need to be filled with helium to protect their function.
In the aerospace sector, helium also plays a key role. During rocket launch, helium is heated and injected into the combustion chamber to provide pressure on the fuel and oxidizer, which creates a powerful thrust. Especially in the increasingly fierce international space race, it is particularly important to master the independent technology of helium extraction.
China is relatively poor in terms of helium reserves, accounting for only 2% of the world's total. As a result, more than 95% of China's helium needs are met by imports. The helium market has been growing over the past few years, and China's helium imports are largely dependent on Qatar, the United States and Australia. However, Qatar's helium** is relatively high, and the United States occupies an important position in helium technology, which brings uncertainty and risks to China's helium** chain.
First of all, the United States has control over almost all of the world's helium resources, making China dependent on helium ** and has certain risks. The United States has abundant helium resources and advanced R&D capabilities in helium technology. Secondly, Qatar, as one of China's major helium** countries, relies on technical support from the United States for its helium production, so Qatar's helium** is also unstable and risky. In addition, the U.S. joining forces with Australia could also adversely affect China's helium**, which poses greater challenges and risks to China. Finally, Qatar is located in the Middle East, and there are many political risks, such as a diplomatic crisis and blockade, which have made it difficult for China to transport helium.
China's successful development of a high-purity helium extraction device is an important breakthrough, which will help reduce the dependence on external ** chains and improve the sustainable use of helium resources. However, in order to ensure the safety of helium**, China also needs to increase its independent research and development, master helium refining technology, and carry out forward-looking thinking and strategic layout. In this way, potential deficiencies and risks of external interference can be dealt with in the future.
History tells us that dependence on key technologies is a double-edged sword. Just as Huawei faces challenges under U.S. export restrictions, if China remains dependent on imports in the helium sector and loses its own technology, it could be at greater risk and control in the future. Therefore, China needs to increase R&D investment in the field of helium and improve its technology to ensure the security of its own resources.
In summary, China's successful production of high-purity helium is an important scientific and technological advance, which helps to reduce dependence on external ** chains. However, helium, as an important strategic resource, has an important position in the development of high-tech industries, and there are still major challenges and risks for China. Therefore, China needs to strengthen independent research and development, master helium extraction technology, and ensure the safe and sustainable use of helium**.