Helium Extraction from BOG

Helium is widely used in medical (MRI), semiconductor, aerospace, and scientific research applications, commanding high market prices.

While natural gas remains the primary industrial source of helium, it heavily relies on a limited number of high-helium gas fields. BOG helium extraction serves as a supplementary technology, enhancing the resource value of the LNG supply chain.

Helium extraction from BOG (Boil-Off Gas) is an efficient method for recovering helium during LNG production, significantly improving the economic benefits of LNG plants.

Key Advantages:

1 Helium Enrichment:

LNG primarily consists of methane, but certain gas sources (e.g., from the U.S. or the Middle East) contain higher helium concentrations (0.1%–1%).

During LNG liquefaction, helium (boiling point: -269°C) remains gaseous and accumulates in BOG, increasing its concentration to 1%–10%, thereby reducing subsequent extraction energy and costs.

2 Resource Efficiency

Unlike conventional natural gas helium extraction, which requires dedicated feedstock processing, BOG helium extraction utilizes "waste gas" from LNG production, enabling secondary resource utilization.

3 Integration with Existing LNG Infrastructure

BOG helium extraction can directly connect to LNG plant facilities (e.g., BOG reliquefaction systems or flare stacks), eliminating the need for standalone pretreatment units and simplifying the process.

Modular helium extraction units can be designed for BOG with varying helium concentrations, adapting to LNG plants of different scales.

Technical and Economic Significance:

With its advantages in resource enrichment, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability, BOG helium extraction has become a vital helium production method—particularly for LNG projects with high-helium feed gas. As helium demand grows and supply tightens, the economic and strategic importance of this technology will further increase.

Application Fields:

Multi-stage separation to extract helium (or produce liquid helium via cryogenic processes) from natural gas or BOG generated during LNG production.

Application Scenarios:

Commercial sales, etc.

System Configuration (Skid-Mounted Units)

Skid 1: Raw helium extraction skid (includes compressor)；

Skid 2: Catalytic oxidation skid (includes compressor)；

Skid 3: Helium purification skid (includes compressor)；

Skid 4: Helium filling skid；

Skid 5: Liquid oxygen/nitrogen storage skid；

Skid 6: Auxiliary systems；