Liquid and gaseous helium are critical components of aerospace and government/laboratory applications such as superconductors, leak detection, and high-pressure pumping systems. Air Products supplies helium to major aerospace concerns—including Arianespace, Lockheed Martin and Boeing-and provides expertise and engineering services to help them achieve more effective operations, improve safety and environmental compliance and lower manufacturing costs. In fact, Air Products supplies a complete line of industrial gases and related equipment to the aerospace industry.
Liquid helium cools superconductors
Industrial, university and government labs use our helium to help maintain the low-temperature refrigeration necessary for superconductor development. At -452 degrees Fahrenheit, liquid helium can cool most metal alloys to temperatures near absolute zero, reducing their electrical resistance so that an electric current flows indefinitely—a state known as "superconductivity".
Gaseous helium detects minute leaks
Helium molecules are less than 1 angstrom in diameter and, unlike nitrogen and oxygen, do not exist in pairs. Using a mass spectrometer and helium, it is possible to detect microscopic leaks. We supply gaseous helium that enables the aerospace industry to detect leaks before they can cause failure in critical pressure and vacuum systems, including rocket engines, pipelines and other equipment involved in delivering liquid hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel during shuttle liftoffs.
Patented pump for high-pressure helium
For pressurizing and purging applications, our patented 6,000 psig liquid helium pump enables our aerospace customers to pressurize large on-site gas storage vessels at lower costs, with less energy and at faster rates than is possible with typical warm gas compression. In 2003, we entered into a 10-year agreement to support the USAF Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Program with high-pressure helium and a proprietary pumping system for Vanderberg Air Force Base in California.
Full range of supply options
As the world's largest producer and provider of helium, Air Products offers a variety of helium distribution and storage options. These include:
Liquid helium
- Vacuum-insulated dewars from 60 liters to 500 liters
- Containers and over-the-road tankers with capacities up to 64,000 liters
Gaseous helium
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