U.S. is running out of helium - Page 2

Captain1nsaneo · 2012-05-29, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by Sobekeus

Hydrogen wants a word.

DAMN IT.

Thanks.

Warborn · 2012-05-29, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Mr DeCastellac

Running out of helium and selling it all aren't mutually exclusive. When we sell it all, we run out.

So yes, we are running out.

And the US is an isolated nation existing in some pocket dimension with no access to the world at large? When the US sells all its own reserves then people within the US want to buy helium they'll have to buy it from places elsewhere in the world. The prices may or may not be slightly higher, but helium is still very abundant and nobody who needs it within the confines of the United States will be forced to do without on account of scarcity.

In fact, I imagine any labs or whatever which use helium often probably have very substantial reserves of it on-hand so as to prevent price fluctuations in the future from costing them a buck.

Baneblade · 2012-05-29, 10:41 AM

If it is so critical, why aren't they recycling it whenever possible?

Quovatis · 2012-05-29, 12:26 PM

100 years from now we'll go back to filling blimps with hydrogen. Full circle.

Mr DeCastellac · 2012-05-31, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by Warborn

And the US is an isolated nation existing in some pocket dimension with no access to the world at large? When the US sells all its own reserves then people within the US want to buy helium they'll have to buy it from places elsewhere in the world. The prices may or may not be slightly higher, but helium is still very abundant and nobody who needs it within the confines of the United States will be forced to do without on account of scarcity.

You misunderstand the whole point of this. We're going to run out of helium. Importing a gas would be quite difficult, I imagine, and the price would skyrocket, not "...be slightly higher..."

Originally Posted by Sobekeus

If it is so critical, why aren't they recycling it whenever possible?

I'm not entirely sure, but it must be tough to recycle helium. Maybe it's used up in the experiments. Plus, I think a large chunk of the blame goes towards balloons and , most of which probably float away or pop leaks, releasing the helium into the air.

Warborn · 2012-05-31, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by Mr DeCastellac

You misunderstand the whole point of this. We're going to run out of helium. Importing a gas would be quite difficult, I imagine, and the price would skyrocket, not "...be slightly higher..."

Did you even read what I linked to? No, right? The reason the USA is running out of helium is because it is exporting all of its reserves to other countries. It is not burning through helium at such an incredible rate that the reserves are running dry. It simply doesn't need helium much and would rather make a quick buck selling it to other countries than keeping it around.

Anyone who actually uses helium in a professional or industrial setting doesn't need Planetside Universe Forums User "Mr DeCastellac" to let them know the situation regarding helium. Nobody will skip a beat on this. There is plenty of helium left in the world and if somehow a business or lab were to run out of helium, all they'd need to do is buy some internationally (no, it is not hard to import).

Mr DeCastellac · 2012-05-31, 02:32 AM

Originally Posted by Warborn

Did you even read what I linked to? No, right? The reason the USA is running out of helium is because it is exporting all of its reserves to other countries. It is not burning through helium at such an incredible rate that the reserves are running dry. It simply doesn't need helium much and would rather make a quick buck selling it to other countries than keeping it around.

Anyone who actually uses helium in a professional or industrial setting doesn't need Planetside Universe Forums User "Mr DeCastellac" to let them know the situation regarding helium. Nobody will skip a beat on this. There is plenty of helium left in the world and if somehow a business or lab were to run out of helium, all they'd need to do is buy some internationally (no, it is not hard to import).

Yes, I did read the article. Did you read mine?

And the point of the thread isn't to alert scientists and engineers that we're running out of helium, it's because I'm interested in what other people have to say about this problem. I was trying to have a lively discussion with you and the others that posted here, but if you're just going to resort to making snarky remarks about PSU or anyone on it, including myself, I'm done with you.

Warborn · 2012-05-31, 03:27 AM

Maybe instead of having a lively discussion you should do some cursory research on an issue so that you have the vaguest idea of what the hell you're about to start yammering on about.

Figment · 2012-05-31, 03:24 PM

And if all that doesn't work, just fuse some Hydrogen.

Mr DeCastellac · 2012-05-31, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by Warborn

Maybe instead of having a lively discussion you should do some cursory research on an issue so that you have the vaguest idea of what the hell you're about to start yammering on about.

I direct you to this: http://youtu.be/FpWpdcR63ms

Also, I'm now taking bets as to if Warborn will try some last ditch attempt at getting his/her last word in or not.