We all know that apart from party and stratospheric observation balloons (as operated by the Chinese and Americans and no doubt others too) one of the major uses of helium is in MRI scanners.
Helium is a very strange and unusual gas starting with it being lighter than air and non-flammable – unlike say hydrogen. Helium’s main benefit in MRI scanners is that it is unreactive and at very low temperatures, it becomes a superconductor. In very simple terms, this means that superconducting wire coils that the helium surrounds have almost zero resistance to electrical current, thus allowing the scanner to operate at maximum efficiency to give the sharpest images.
Because helium is unreactive, it is also used to provide an inert protective atmosphere for making fibre optics and semiconductors as well as for arc welding and in deep-sea diving gas mixtures. Helium is also used to detect leaks, such as in pipelines, car air-conditioning systems, and because another of its properties is it diffuses quickly, it is used to inflate car airbags after impact.
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The demand by the independent operators to lease helium tanks of their own has been growing for the last decade.
GML had the foresight several years ago to recognise the leasing market’s growing interest in leasing helium tanks separately from acquiring the liquid gas itself. However, it was only with the diminishing supply from the US National Helium Reserve and the development of additional resources elsewhere in the world that has enabled GML’s concept to become a feasible and practical reality.
GML now leases 40’ Helium tanks and 250/400 litre dewars to companies around the world and is delighted to be working closely with Linde (and others) who have been singularly supportive throughout the whole process.
To discover more about GML (Socomat) and further details of our company, contact us.
