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Zed Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2005 Posts: 281 Location: Colorado
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:38 am Post subject: the death of helium |
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The element that lifts things like balloons, spirits and voice ranges is being depleted so rapidly in the world's largest reserve, outside of Amarillo, Texas, that supplies are expected to be depleted there within the next eight years.
This deflates more than the Goodyear blimp and party favors. Its larger impact is on science and technology, according to Lee Sobotka, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and physics in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.
"Helium's use in science is extremely broad, but its most important use is as a coolant," said Sobotka, a specialist in nuclear chemistry and physics who collaborates with researchers at several national laboratories.
Generally the larger users of helium (He), such as the national laboratories, have the infrastructure to efficiently use and recycle helium, Sobotka said. The same cannot be said of many smaller scale users.
Helium plays a role in nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, welding, fiber optics and computer microchip production, among other technological applications. NASA uses large amounts annually to pressurize space shuttle fuel tanks.
"Helium is non-renewable and irreplaceable. Its properties are unique and unlike hydrocarbon fuels (natural gas or oil), there are no biosynthetic ways to make an alternative to helium. All should make better efforts to recycle it." |
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102093943.htm |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:25 am Post subject: |
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Well i guess its back to hydrogen. _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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DownRiver Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2003 Posts: 797 Location: threeonethree
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:25 am Post subject: |
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More importantly:
Helium-3 (He-3) is a light, non-radioactive isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron, rare on Earth, sought for use in nuclear fusion research. The abundance of helium-3 is thought to be greater on the Moon (embedded in the upper layer of regolith by the solar wind over billions of years) and the solar system's gas giants (left over from the original solar nebula), though still low in quantity (28 ppm of lunar regolith is helium-4 and 0.01 ppm is helium-3).[1] It is proposed to be used as a second-generation fusion power source.
Good thing we planted that US flag in the desert way back when. It's all about the Resources! _________________ Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right. -Henry Ford
VanSlyke VW Doublecab |
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Rowroy Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2006 Posts: 1012 Location: The ass of nowhere
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:30 am Post subject: |
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We use liquid helium at the Oak Ridge National Lab for cryogenic work. It cools our chambers down to ~1.5-2º K (whereas liquid nitrogen only cools down to 4ºK).
We also use it in our neutron detectors (H-3 to be exact). It costs $2 million/truckload, and we buy 3 truckloads at a time.
Helium is "going away", but like crude oil, not as fast as some would have you believe. _________________ Suicide is man's way of telling God, "You can't fire me; I quit!" - Bill Maher |
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chickengeorge Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2004 Posts: 5634 Location: Spokompton Warshington
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:58 am Post subject: |
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Rowroy wrote: |
We use liquid helium at the Oak Ridge National Lab for cryogenic work. It cools our chambers down to ~1.5-2º K (whereas liquid nitrogen only cools down to 4ºK).
We also use it in our neutron detectors (H-3 to be exact). It costs $2 million/truckload, and we buy 3 truckloads at a time.
Helium is "going away", but like crude oil, not as fast as some would have you believe. |
Two Gallants. Love em. |
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TeamSpatula Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004 Posts: 5211 Location: WNC
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:00 am Post subject: |
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Rowroy wrote: |
We use liquid helium at the Oak Ridge National Lab for cryogenic work. It cools our chambers down to ~1.5-2º K (whereas liquid nitrogen only cools down to 4ºK). |
whoa - 2 Kelvin? Been a long time since chemistry class, but isn't that like -271 celsius? That's COLD!!!!!
and on a lighter note, doesn't the sun make Helium? can't we just mine it from there? _________________ <---Air Cooled Search & Rescue Team - STICKERS & T-shirts for sale!
I NEED A CAMPER!!!! (1971 is ideal but will consider other years)
http://www.TeamSpatula.com |
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HerrrKafer Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 1465 Location: East Fishkill, NY
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:23 am Post subject: |
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Rowroy wrote: |
(whereas liquid nitrogen only cools down to 4ºK).
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Doesn't nitrogen freeze at 60-something K? _________________ Evan H.
EverettB wrote: |
In a perfect world, anyone running chromies would be shot. |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:11 am Post subject: |
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My brain hurts! _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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coW Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 2096 Location: New England
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:35 am Post subject: |
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Kid's Birfday parties won't be the same without floating balloons. |
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Vanhag Samba Mortician
Joined: June 29, 2003 Posts: 2606 Location: Desert Coast
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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TeamSpatula wrote: |
Rowroy wrote: |
We use liquid helium at the Oak Ridge National Lab for cryogenic work. It cools our chambers down to ~1.5-2º K (whereas liquid nitrogen only cools down to 4ºK). |
whoa - 2 Kelvin? Been a long time since chemistry class, but isn't that like -271 celsius? That's COLD!!!!!
and on a lighter note, doesn't the sun make Helium? can't we just mine it from there? |
Woah there Spatula boy,
-2 Kelvin, just think about that for a minute. Think back to chemistry class to what Absolute Zero is.
No more squeeky high voices? No more divers sounding like Mickey Mouse? Say it ain't so Al Gore! _________________ CU05 w/HBB
HOODRIDANCE |
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TeamSpatula Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004 Posts: 5211 Location: WNC
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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Vanhag wrote: |
TeamSpatula wrote: |
Rowroy wrote: |
We use liquid helium at the Oak Ridge National Lab for cryogenic work. It cools our chambers down to ~1.5-2º K (whereas liquid nitrogen only cools down to 4ºK). |
whoa - 2 Kelvin? Been a long time since chemistry class, but isn't that like -271 celsius? That's COLD!!!!!
and on a lighter note, doesn't the sun make Helium? can't we just mine it from there? |
Woah there Spatula boy,
-2 Kelvin, just think about that for a minute. Think back to chemistry class to what Absolute Zero is.
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yeah, I should have been more clear - that's a dash - just using it to show a pause - for effect.
I thought absolute zero was actually quantifying the amount of information you read on the internet that you can actually believe... _________________ <---Air Cooled Search & Rescue Team - STICKERS & T-shirts for sale!
I NEED A CAMPER!!!! (1971 is ideal but will consider other years)
http://www.TeamSpatula.com |
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Vanhag Samba Mortician
Joined: June 29, 2003 Posts: 2606 Location: Desert Coast
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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TeamSpatula wrote: |
...I thought absolute zero was actually quantifying the amount of information you read on the internet that you can actually believe... |
LOL
Absolutely True! _________________ CU05 w/HBB
HOODRIDANCE |
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dcketh Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2006 Posts: 436 Location: Tionesta, Pennsylvania
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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It's also the amount of sympathy you can expect from other Samba members when you come in here to report on something stupid you just did! _________________ ~ Dan ~
'71 Westy
'74 Thing |
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Mr. Unpopular Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2005 Posts: 3715 Location: Tampa Florida
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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We need Algore to save us! _________________ "In any racing engine, the nearer you are to it disintegrating, the better it's performance will be"
-Keith Duckworth, creator of the Ford/Cosworth DFV |
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Derek Cobb Annoying
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: |
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I think you can only mine helium from the sun at night.... |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69733 Location: Phoenix Metro
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calebmelvin Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006 Posts: 3140 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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EverettB wrote: |
Rowroy wrote: |
We also use it in our neutron detectors (H-3 to be exact). It costs $2 million/truckload, and we buy 3 truckloads at a time. |
Only 3? Doesn't the bulk rate start at 4 truckloads?
-2 Kelvin - Wow, I was not aware of that. That is awesome. |
So THATS why we are depleting our supply so fast, it goes to the Barnes estate by the truckload! At the bulk rate even! I wonder what he does with it... _________________ Caleb
'68 Tagged Manx | My Wanted Ads
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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EverettB Administrator
Joined: April 11, 2000 Posts: 69733 Location: Phoenix Metro
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hpw Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006 Posts: 3010 Location: memphis
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calebmelvin Samba Member
Joined: July 19, 2006 Posts: 3140 Location: Seattle, WA
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