"The U.S. helium reserve in Amarillo, Tex., controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, accounts for 30 percent of the world’s helium. But a current Senate Bill calls for the reserve to continue selling helium, even if it risks running out by 2018. Helium is a common inert gas, but for commercial purposes it’s usually generated as a byproduct from natural gas mining. But because the recession has caused a slowdown in natural-gas production, helium markets are facing a shortage; more plants will coming online by the end of 2012 in Qatar, Russia and Wyoming, but not in time to ease the current crisis."
1 Comments
US out of helium within a decade, according to the video? Yikes! Safe hydrogen generators for balloons, kites, UAS (drones) for our photomapping? Interesting. In Stewart Long's comments about Shannon Dosemagen's photo of New Orleans Public Lab space, he writes, "... If you have a big enough doorway you could leave balloons inflated... "
I recall, in searching for helium recovery/recycle systems, seeing European advertising balloon folks describing their trailers for their big balloons and how they top them off. Similar to the dirigible approach.
Is this a question? Click here to post it to the Questions page.
Reply to this comment...
Log in to comment
Login to comment.