Core Insights - Anhui Wanrui Cold Electric Technology Co., Ltd. has developed a low-temperature refining and neon removal device that achieved helium purity of 99.99997% (6N9 grade) at a natural gas helium extraction project site in Yan'an, Shaanxi [1] - This device is the first of its kind in China to extract ultra-pure helium from natural gas, marking a significant breakthrough in the low-abundance natural gas helium extraction field [1] - Helium is a non-renewable strategic resource essential in various fields such as large scientific installations, advanced medical applications, and aerospace, often referred to as the "blood of industry" [1] Technology and Process - The research team has pioneered a new "combined method" helium extraction process that integrates four stages: hydrogen removal, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and low-temperature refining [1] - The process begins with catalytic hydrogen removal to enrich helium, followed by membrane separation and pressure swing adsorption to eliminate nitrogen, methane, and other impurities, and concludes with a 30K deep low-temperature refining process to remove neon impurities [1] Operational Capacity - The device can operate continuously for 24 hours without downtime, with an annual extraction capacity of 400,000 cubic meters of high-purity helium [2]

Core Insights - Anhui Wanrui Cold Electric Technology Co., Ltd. has successfully developed a low-temperature refining and neon removal device, achieving helium gas purity of 99.99997% (6N9 grade) and neon impurity levels below 0.3 ppm, marking a significant breakthrough in the extraction of helium from low-abundance natural gas in China [1][2] Group 1: Technology and Innovation - The newly developed helium extraction device is the first of its kind in China to produce 6N9 grade ultra-pure helium from natural gas [1] - The research team has pioneered a novel "combined method" helium extraction process, integrating four stages: dehydrogenation, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and low-temperature refining [2] - The device operates continuously for 24 hours without downtime, with an annual extraction capacity of 400,000 cubic meters of high-purity helium [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights significant advancements in helium extraction technology in China, particularly through the development of a new low-temperature refining and de-nitrogenization device by Wanrui Cold Electric, achieving a helium purity of 99.99997% (6N9 level) [4][5]. Group 1: Technological Breakthroughs - Wanrui Cold Electric's new device marks a major breakthrough in extracting high-purity helium from low-abundance natural gas, addressing the challenge of China's average helium abundance of only 0.03%-0.05% [4][5]. - The innovative "combined law" helium extraction process integrates four advanced techniques: dehydrogenation, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and low-temperature refining, enabling continuous operation and an annual extraction capacity of 400,000 cubic meters of high-purity helium [4][5]. Group 2: Market Implications - The recent drone attack on the Orenburg helium plant in Russia, which accounts for approximately 62.5% of Russia's helium production and 3% of global supply, raises concerns about potential disruptions in helium supply [7][8]. - The global helium production in 2023 is estimated at 168 million cubic meters, with the U.S. and Qatar being the largest producers, highlighting the strategic importance of helium in various high-tech industries [8]. Group 3: Strategic Importance of Helium - Helium is deemed a strategic resource due to its unique properties and applications in aerospace, nuclear reactors, semiconductors, and quantum computing, often referred to as "golden gas" [4][5]. - China's recent geological surveys have revealed an additional 4.07 billion cubic meters of helium reserves, indicating a significant increase in domestic helium resources and reducing reliance on imports [5].

Core Viewpoint - The recent advancements in helium extraction technology and geopolitical events surrounding helium supply chains highlight significant developments in the helium industry, particularly in China and Russia [2][4][7]. Group 1: Technological Advancements - Wanrui Cold Electric has developed a "low-temperature refining and neon removal device" that achieves helium purity of 99.99997% (6N9 level), marking a major breakthrough in low-abundance natural gas helium extraction in China [2][4]. - The new extraction technology integrates a four-stage coupling process, including hydrogen removal, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and low-temperature refining, allowing for continuous operation and an annual extraction capacity of 400,000 cubic meters of high-purity helium [5]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Helium is considered a strategic resource with applications in aerospace, nuclear reactors, and semiconductor industries, often referred to as "golden gas" due to its irreplaceable role [6]. - The geopolitical situation has led to concerns about helium supply disruptions, particularly following a drone attack on the Orenburg helium plant in Russia, which accounts for approximately 62.5% of Russia's helium production and 3% of global supply [7][8]. Group 3: Resource Availability - China's helium resources have historically been underdeveloped, with an average abundance of only 0.03%-0.05% in natural gas fields, significantly lower than the international standard of 1%-7% [4]. - Recent geological surveys have revealed an increase in China's proven helium reserves, totaling 4.07 billion cubic meters, with several gas fields exceeding 200 million cubic meters in reserves [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights significant advancements in helium extraction technology in China, particularly through the development of a new low-temperature refining and de-neon device by Wanrui Cold Electric, which achieves a helium purity of 99.99997% (6N9 grade) [1][4][5]. Group 1: Helium Extraction Technology - Wanrui Cold Electric's newly developed device marks a major breakthrough in low-abundance natural gas helium extraction, achieving ultra-pure helium production [1][4]. - The device can continuously operate 24 hours a day, extracting 400,000 cubic meters of high-purity helium annually [4]. - The innovative extraction process combines four advanced techniques: hydrogen removal, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and low-temperature refining [4][5]. Group 2: Helium Market Dynamics - Helium is referred to as "golden gas" due to its irreplaceable role in high-tech industries such as aerospace, nuclear reactors, semiconductors, and quantum computers [2][5]. - Recent geopolitical events, including a drone attack on Russia's Orenburg helium plant, which accounts for approximately 62.5% of Russia's helium production and 3% of global supply, may disrupt helium supply chains [2][8][9]. - The global helium resource is estimated at 51.9 billion cubic meters, with the U.S. holding 40% of this resource [9]. Group 3: Domestic Helium Resource Development - China's helium exploration has seen significant progress, with newly confirmed geological reserves of 4.07 billion cubic meters, indicating a shift towards self-sufficiency in helium production [5]. - The average helium abundance in Chinese natural gas fields is only 0.03%-0.05%, which is significantly lower than the international average of 1%-7% [4][5]. - The development of new extraction technologies is crucial for overcoming the challenges posed by the low helium abundance in domestic resources [4][5].

Core Insights - The company Wanrui Cold Electric Technology has developed China's first low-temperature refining and neon removal device, achieving a helium gas purity of 99.99997% (6N9 level) from natural gas, marking a significant breakthrough in the low-abundance helium extraction field in China [1][2] Company Overview - Wanrui Cold Electric is recognized as a national key support "specialized, refined, and innovative" small giant enterprise, continuously increasing R&D investment to overcome critical core technologies [2] - The company has independently developed a new "combined method" helium extraction process, integrating four advanced techniques: dehydrogenation, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and low-temperature refining [2] Industry Context - Helium is a non-renewable strategic resource essential for large scientific installations, advanced medical applications, and aerospace, often referred to as the "blood of industry" [1] - China's average helium abundance in natural gas fields is only 0.03%-0.05%, significantly lower than the international level of 1%-7%, leading to inefficiencies in traditional helium extraction technologies [1]