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]

Group 1 - The core message highlights a significant breakthrough in helium extraction technology in China, with the successful engineering acceptance of a low-temperature refining and de-neon device that achieves helium purity of 99.99997% (6N9 grade) [1][2] - The newly developed device is the first of its kind in China to extract ultra-pure helium from natural gas, marking a major advancement in the low-abundance natural gas helium extraction field [2][3] - Helium is recognized as a strategic resource with critical applications in high-tech industries such as aerospace, nuclear reactors, and semiconductors, often referred to as "industrial blood" [2][4] Group 2 - The innovative extraction process combines four stages: 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 [3] - Recent geopolitical events have raised 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 [5][7] - The global helium resource distribution shows that the United States, Qatar, Algeria, and Russia collectively hold 88% of the world's helium resources, with the U.S. being the largest producer [6][7]