Helium extraction project breaks ground

A groundbreaking ceremony for a helium extraction project was held recently in Otog Front Banner in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. It will be the largest helium extraction base in the nation when put into operation in September.

With an investment of 60 million yuan ($9.4 million), the project will extract helium from BOG — boil-off gas — generated by 600,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas, according to Yahai Energy Development Co.

As a non-renewable resource, helium is an important strategic substance, known as "golden gas". It is mainly applied in low-temperature superconductors, high-end equipment manufacturing, medical treatment and large-scale scientific projects.

The project is designed to process 1,599 cubic meters of BOG per hour, producing about 69 cubic meters of high-purity helium.