this post was submitted on 01 Apr 2026
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I'd guess that most industrial users of helium don't consume it and could theoretically recover it from whatever process it's involved in rather than just releasing it.
EDIT: Hard drives being an exception, as apparently some ship helium-filled; there, it's actually being consumed during the manufacture.
The problem is that helium is notoriously hard to contain. It's transported and stored super-cooled, but it still gases off, and to release pressure they just have to release it into the atmosphere. It effectively has a shelf life and so it has to be constantly replenished.
What is it that keeps the underground pockets of helium in place, anyway? Just craptons of stone?
I'm not sure actually. I know it's usually found with methane and in massive quantities. Maybe just sealed in by rock and time?