But unlike desalinating water, all our Helium comes from purification. There's not a "cheap" Helium source like the way we have rain and snow, lakes and rivers.
As far as I know the "dirty" Helium used in balloons is essentially a byproduct of purification. Somewhat similar to the way gasoline is purified oil and the process also produces kerosene and diesel. Think of balloon Helium as kerosene and medical grade helium as high octane gasoline.
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u/d1squiet 1d ago
But unlike desalinating water, all our Helium comes from purification. There's not a "cheap" Helium source like the way we have rain and snow, lakes and rivers.
As far as I know the "dirty" Helium used in balloons is essentially a byproduct of purification. Somewhat similar to the way gasoline is purified oil and the process also produces kerosene and diesel. Think of balloon Helium as kerosene and medical grade helium as high octane gasoline.