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It's a bit weird to say we're running out of He, not unless we're running out of CH4. Which, theoretically we are. But practically, with CH4, our modern concer
by Throwaway984332 7y ago
It's a bit weird to say we're running out of He, not unless we're running out of CH4. Which, theoretically we are.
But practically, with CH4, our modern concern is not running out of it, but the associated GHG emissions of producing and burning it.
So we won't run out of He, so much as stop producing it.
- escape_goat 7y agoIt might be less confusing to refer to 'natural gas' in this context, rather than CH4.
- SamBam 7y ago'Natural gas' and not 'cow burps'?
- escape_goat 7y agoNot cow burps. Cow burps do not contain helium gas. Helium is formed as a product of natural radioactive decay. It tends to get trapped within the earth in the same ways that natural gas does. Thus, helium is often present as an impurity in natural gas. This is what the previous commentator was referring to, but of course, CH4 is not actually a very good source of helium.
- deftnerd 7y agoCH4, aka Methane, is one Carbon atom and four Hydrogen atoms. There is no Helium in Methane, just Hydrogen.
- ncmncm 7y agoHelium is a byproduct of natural gas extraction. Radon too.