Helium (He) in Water Treatment

Quick Answer

Helium (He) is a noble gas with atomic number 2. PubChem lists its standard state as gas and its relative atomic mass as 4.00260.

Helium is not normally a treatment target in water. If a dissolved noble gas must be controlled in a specialized process, gas-transfer operations such as aeration, vacuum degassing or membrane contactors are more relevant than particle filters.

Interesting Facts

• Helium was detected in the Sun’s spectrum before it was found on Earth; its name comes from Helios, the Sun.
• It has the lowest boiling point of any element and does not freeze at atmospheric pressure.
• Because it is a dissolved gas rather than a particle, degassing—not a sediment filter—is the relevant separation concept.

Water-treatment Design Implications

An element name alone is not enough to select treatment equipment. Confirm chemical form or speciation, total and dissolved concentration, pH, alkalinity, competing ions and the product-water target. Send the water-analysis results to Watermart to identify additional testing and shortlist processes before equipment is specified.

Summary Data Sources

• PubChem — Helium
• IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements
• WHO chemical hazards in drinking-water

1. Basic Information

Atomic Number	2
Symbol	He
Atomic Weight	4.0026 g/mol
Electron Configuration	1s2

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.

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.