Federal helium program: The reaction over an inert gas. Final report
Helium, present in relatively high concentrations in only a few natural gas fields, is released to the atmosphere and wasted when the natural gas is burned as fuel. Government involvement in helium conservation dates to the Helium Act of 1925 which authorized the Bureau of Mines to build and operate a large-scale helium extraction and purification plant. From 1929 until 1960 the federal government was the only domestic helium producer. In 1960, Congress amended the Helium Act to provide incentives to natural gas producers for stripping natural gas of its helium, for purchase of the separated helium by the government, and for its long-term storage. With over 960 million cubic meters (34.6 billion cubic feet) of helium in government storage and a large private helium recovery industry, questions arise as to the need for either the federal helium extraction program or the federally maintained helium stockpile.
- Research Organization:
- Library of Congress, Washington, DC (United States). Congressional Research Service
- OSTI ID:
- 502633
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A-323751/8/XAB; TRN: 71740048
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 9 Oct 1996
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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