Researchers in the physical sciences describe the sky-rocketing demand for the noble gas, and the dwindling supply of it around the world. Their topics include the US federal helium reserve, pioneering helium extraction from liquefied natural gas in Algeria, helium in Russia, harnessing helium from the Earth's interior in India, minimizing helium demand in cryogenic applications, why helium prevails in medical imaging, helium and nuclear fission energy, and whether there is a helium problem. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
The book reveals the changing dynamics of the helium industry on both the supply-side and the demand-side. The helium industry has a long-term future and this important gas will have a role to play for many decades to come. Major new users of helium are expected to enter the market, especially in nuclear energy (both fission and fusion). Prices and volumes supplied and expected to rise and this will prompt greater efforts towards the development of new helium sources and helium conservation and recycling.
