Helium Membrane

‌Working Principle

The membrane separation system uses a polymer (usually polyimide) membrane to selectively “filter” the feed gas for separation. When a mixture of gases passes through the polymer membrane, differences in the solubility and diffusion coefficients of each gas component in the polymer cause varying permeation rates through the membrane. This allows gases to be categorized into “fast gases” (e.g., H2O, H2, He) and “slow gases” (e.g., N2, CH4, and other hydrocarbons). Under the driving force of the partial pressure difference on both sides of the membrane, fast gases permeate the membrane more quickly and are enriched on the low-pressure permeate side, while slow gases are enriched on the high-pressure retention side.



Features of Helium Membrane



•  The separation membrane is made of high-polymer hollow fibers.

•  These hollow fiber membranes are extremely fine hollow tubes that can withstand high pressure without support materials.

•  The outer diameter of the fibers is about 0.2-0.4mm, and the inner diameter is 0.1-0.2mm, maintaining shape under high pressure.

•  High effective membrane surface area per unit volume, with good chemical and physical stability.

•  Long lifespan, typically over 6 years.

•  High efficiency, low cost, compact size, and lightweight.



Applications

This technology can be used to extract and purify helium from low-helium natural gas (containing 0.05% to 0.1% He), achieving a helium purity of over 99.999% (mol%).