Helium (He)

1. Basic Information

2. Physical and Chemical Properties

• Helium is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas element.
• Helium has a very low density, 0.178 ^kg / m3 at 20 ° C.
• Helium's melting point is -272.2°C and its boiling point is -268.9°C, the lowest of all elements
• Helium is inert and forms almost no chemical compounds
• The thermal conductivity of helium is very high

3. Presence in Water and Health Effects

Helium is present in very small amounts in water and the atmosphere. Helium plays no biological role and is non-toxic. Inhaling high concentrations of helium can lead to the risk of oxygen depletion and asphyxia.

4. Water Treatment Applications and Removal Methods

Helium generally does not require special removal in water treatment due to its very low levels of presence. However, if required for specialized applications, helium can be removed through gas desorption methods such as aeration or gas stripping.

5. Industrial Use in Water Treatment

Helium has no direct industrial application in water treatment. However, helium is used in gas chromatography as a carrier gas for chemical analysis in water quality monitoring.

6. Regulatory Guidelines and Standards

There are no specific guidelines or standards for helium levels in drinking water as it is not toxic or harmful under normal conditions.

7. Environmental Impact and Sustainability Considerations

Overuse of helium can lead to depletion of the earth's limited helium resources. Helium conservation and recycling efforts are important for long-term sustainability. However, in the context of water treatment, the environmental impact of helium is minimal.

8. Future Trends and Water Treatment Research

Future research might explore the use of helium in advanced analytical techniques for water quality monitoring, such as ultra high resolution mass spectrometry. However, overall, the role of helium in water treatment is expected to remain limited.

9. Interesting Facts Related to Water Treatment

• Although helium is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen, its presence on Earth is extremely rare
• Most of Earth's helium supply comes from natural gas, where helium is formed from the radioactive decay of heavy elements such as uranium and thorium
• Although non-toxic, inhaling helium can temporarily alter a person's vocal cords, resulting in the famous "squeaky voice" effect.

Overall, the relevance of helium in water treatment is very limited due to its unique properties and rare presence in the aquatic environment. However, an understanding of its properties and behavior remains important for water treatment professionals.