The Problem with Helium as a Fuel
If energy levels are reduced by a global reduction in the allowed use of fossil fuels then will the use of Helium as a fuel provide an alternative sustainable fuel up to 2050.
This analysis gives an ongoing framework to test that question.
Helium is a very rare element on Earth.
It is found in the atmosphere of the Earth at a concentration of 5.2 parts per million.
It is found in the crust of the Earth at a concentration of 8 parts per billion.
It is found in the seas of the Earth at a concentration of 4 parts per trillion.
It is found in the lithosphere, the surface of the Earth.
It is generated by radioactive decay. Approximately 3000 tons of Helium are generated in this way each year.
Extraction of Helium from all reserves in 2008 was
169,000,000 std cubic m.
This equates to barrels of oil equivalent as
169,000,000 x 0.15897 = 26,865,930 / year
The USA has been the largest producer of Helium with 78% of the world production.
Given this percentage and the reserves of the USA stated at
53,000,000,000,000 std cubic m
Then the world reserves can be established at approx.
68,000,000,000,000 std cubic m.
This equates to barrels of oil equivalent as
68,000,000,000,000 x 0.15897
= 10,809,960,000,000 reserves.
Extraction from natural gas is the current Helium processing system.
Per unit yield for Hydrogen From water by electrolysis
Molecular weight of Helium = 2 grams
Potential energy from 1 ton of He = 5193 J/kg/deg K
= 5193,000,000 J/ton x 0.0000002778 to convert to kwh
= 1442 kwh/ton
= 1,442,000 wh per ton
Compares to = 1,870,000 wh per ton of coal
= 11,666,000 wh per ton of crude oil
= 5,300,000 wh per ton of wood
= 3,084,000 wh per ton of short rotation
coppice
The Helium production process also needs
Electricity from fossil fuels
A controlled seal container for the Helium Gas
Energy converters to change the Helium into electrical energy.
Electrical Energy Storage Batteries
To replace the same tonnage per year of crude petroleum the amount of Helium needed would have to be
84,060,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Source: CIA World Factbook
Allowing 42 gallons per barrel. Allowing 7.33 barrels per metric ton
84,060,000 x 42 / 7.33
481,653,478 tons of crude oil per day
175,803,519,470 tons of crude oil per year
2,050,923,858,137,020 kWh per year
So we would need
2,050,923,858,137,020 / 1442 kWh
= 1,422,277,294,131 tons of Helium to get the same energy equivalent of oil per year.
Allowing for a production of 26,865,930 barrels of oil equivalent / year current Helium product levels.
Allowing 7.33 barrels of oil equivalent per metric ton.
= 3,665,202 tons / year current Helium product levels.
This would need production to increase by a factor of approx. 388,000
This amount of Helium would need a storage area of approximately 655,72,000,000,000 m3
Given the reserves of Helium of 68,000,000,000,000 std cubic m or 10,809,960,000,000 barrels of oil equivalent.
This gives a reserve of Helium of 1,474,755,798,090 tons.
This gives a reserve of 1 year to meet current oil demand levels by the use of Helium.
Conclusion
Helium is not currently a sustainable fuel at our current level of technology.
Ian K Whittaker
Website:
https://sites.google.com/site/architecturearticles
Email: iankwhittaker@gmail.com
16/11/2013
14/10/2020
564 words over 2 pages.