Helium recycling and cryogen-free tech ‘critical’ to combat shortages

A recent report highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive study on helium, a critical resource in high magnetic field research, as the global supply continues to face severe constraints.

A section of the report explores the essential role of helium in maintaining the low temperatures required for superconducting magnets, which are vital for cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements. 

The authors of ‘The Current Status and Future Direction of High-Magnetic-Field Science and Technology in the United States’ call for immediate action to address helium supply issues, outlining the importance of recycling and reuse, as well as the exploration of alternative cryogen-free technologies to mitigate the growing risks to high magnetic field research.

“Without being sensational, if the supply of helium were to enter a long-term shortage, superconducting magnet systems such as those used for MRI medical applications and research instruments would be decommissioned (sometimes irrevocably) over time,” warned the report.

These magnets rely on helium to maintain the extremely low temperatures necessary for superconductivity. The report underscores that without a stable and affordable supply of helium, the advancement of high magnetic field research and adjacent technologies would be severely hampered.

The helium supply crisis

The latest helium supply crisis, dubbed Helium Shortage 4.0, originated in 2022 after 16 years of recurring shortages. A series of unanticipated events such as explosions, fires and outages impacted recovery of the market following the launch of Gazprom’s Amur facility.

“After a brief start-up of the Amur facility there was a fire in October of 2021 and then a serious explosion in January of 2022 and that delayed the Amur facility entering the market until December 2023,” said Phil Kornbluth of Kornbluth Helium Consulting, who spoke at gasworld’s Specialty Gas Summit 2024 earlier this year.

The report draws attention to the global helium supply crisis, which has significantly impacted research and industrial applications that depend on this resource. Helium is a non-renewable resource, with its availability largely dependent on natural gas extraction. 

Production of helium worldwide in 2023, by country, in million cubic meters. SOURCE: Data from U.S. Geological Survey, 2024, “Helium,” pp. 88–89 in Mineral Commodity Summaries, January, https://doi.org/10.3133/mcs2024.

However, the supply has been erratic, with price volatility and occasional shortages disrupting research activities. This volatility in helium supply has led to increased costs, which in turn has caused delays in research projects and has even forced some laboratories to suspend operations temporarily. 

Smaller research facilities, in particular, have been disproportionately affected, as they often lack the financial resources to absorb sudden increases in helium prices or to secure alternative sources.

Recycling and reuse

In response to these challenges, the report suggests an increase in helium recycling and reuse programmes. The report says that while these programmes require substantial initial capital investment, they are crucial for the long-term sustainability of helium supply in research environments. 

Recycled helium can significantly reduce the demand for new helium, alleviating some of the pressure on the global supply chain.

The report outlines the technical and economic feasibility of helium recycling systems. It notes that although the initial setup costs can be high, the long-term savings and security provided by such systems make them a worthwhile investment. 

One example of successful helium recycling is the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL) in the US. The NHMFL, which operates some of the most powerful magnets in the world, has implemented an extensive helium recycling programme.

This system captures and purifies helium that would otherwise be lost during experiments,  reducing the laboratory’s helium consumption. According to the NHMFL, the lab recycles approximately 85-90% of the helium it uses and has reported savings of over $1 million per year.

Cryogen-free technology

Looking beyond helium, the report also calls for exploratory research into next-generation cryogen-free technologies. These technologies, which do not rely on liquid helium, could potentially revolutionise the field by providing an alternative means of achieving the low temperatures required for superconducting magnets. 

The development of cryogen-free systems would not only mitigate the risks associated with helium supply disruptions but also reduce the operational costs of high magnetic field facilities.

To maintain the magnetic field present in an MRI scanner, the resistance in the wires needs to be reduced to almost zero. This is achieved by bathing the wires in a continuous supply of liquid helium at -269.1C. A typical MRI scanner used 1,700 litres of liquid helium, which needs to be topped up periodically.

Helium is an essential component of MRI machines.

UK-based Cryogenic Limited has developed a new way to cool magnets for MRI machines to near absolute zero without the need for a continuous supply of liquid helium. Using only a small fixed amount of helium (around half a liquid litre) the company’s technology can cool magnets to low temperatures using mechanical refrigerators which run using electrical power and cooling water.

Currently offering its magnets for use in a variety of imaging techniques including MRI, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, the company’s ‘dry’ system eliminates the need for skilled manpower to transfer and handle the liquid helium.

Jeremy Good, Managing Director of Cryogenic Ltd said in a statement: “In recent years major research laboratories have had to temporarily shut down multi million-pound facilities because of these [helium] shortages and the problem will only get worse. Providing an alternative which doesn’t rely on a regular supply of helium is essential to addressing this problem.”

Cryogenic claims its system also prevents ‘quenching’, a problem in MRI machines where the electromagnet’s wire loses superconductivity, causing it to overheat. This overheating rapidly boils off liquid helium, which then escapes from the magnet’s housing. As a result, facilities using liquid helium require specialised ventilation systems.

However, the report cautions that such technologies are still in the early stages of development and require significant research and development efforts before they can be widely adopted. 

Policy & investment

To address the helium supply issues effectively, the report provides several key recommendations surrounding policy and investment.

The authors suggest that national governments should consider establishing strategic helium reserves to protect against supply disruptions. These reserves would serve as a buffer during periods of acute shortages and could be managed similarly to other critical resource reserves.

Governments and funding agencies should also provide incentives for research institutions to invest in helium recycling and reuse systems. This could include subsidies, tax breaks, or direct funding for the purchase and installation of recycling equipment.

The report calls for increased investment in research and development of cryogen-free technologies. This includes funding for both basic research and applied development to bring these technologies from the laboratory to commercial viability.