China achieves 99.99997% helium purity using natural gas feedstock

China has developed a groundbreaking helium extraction device capable of producing ultra-pure helium at 99.99997% purity (6N9 grade) from natural gas fields with very low helium content. Created by Yan’an-based Vacree Technologies after six years of research led by scientist Rong Chengxu, the system employs a multi-step process combining catalytic dehydrogenation, membrane separation, pressure swing adsorption, and ultra-low-temperature refining to remove impurities such as hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, and neon. This innovation allows continuous production of up to 400,000 cubic meters of helium annually and represents a significant technological leap, as achieving such purity levels has been a major challenge worldwide, especially given China’s natural gas helium concentrations of only 0.03 to 0.05 percent compared to 1 to 7 percent in international fields. The advancement addresses both scientific and strategic needs, securing China’s supply of helium critical for applications in particle accelerators, MRI machines, semiconductor manufacturing, spaceflight, and