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Analysis of the Development Trend of Helium Recovery from Natural Gas Technology Based on Incopat Patent Information

Authors： Chao ZHANG, Peijun ZHENG, Pengfei FEI, Houyuan LU,Shuangjiang LUO

Units： 1. National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China 2. Department of Library Information and Archives Management, School of Economics and Management, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China 3. Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China 4. School of Economics and Management, Shanxi University, Taiyuan Shanxi 030006,

KeyWords： helium separation from natural gas; patent analysis; membrane separation

ClassificationCode：TQ460.6+4

year,volume(issue):pagination： 2024,44(3):163-173

Abstract：

Helium is a non renewable inert gas associated with natural gas, playing an irreplaceable role in fields such as high-temperature gas cooled reactors, nuclear magnetic resonance, semiconductor manufacturing, and large-scale scientific facilities. In recent years, the global consumption of helium has been increasing year by year, but the production capacity of helium cannot meet its consumption. Developing low-cost and high-efficiency natural gas helium extraction technology is of great significance. This article uses the Incopat global patent search and analysis system to accurately search for patent technologies related to natural gas helium extraction. It introduces the overall situation of patents in the field of helium separation and reveals key patents. The system summarizes and discusses the development trends of this technology. Through in-depth analysis of key patented technologies, it is found that China, the United States, Japan, Germany, and Russia have relatively high technological innovation capabilities and activity levels, and are the main holders of patents in this field. The top three helium extraction technologies are cryogenic method, membrane separation method, and multi technology coupling method. Membrane separation technology is a rapidly developing separation technology among key patents; This article focuses on the latest research progress of natural gas helium extraction membrane separation technology from two directions: membrane materials and membrane separation processes. Research has found that developing and designing cost-effective membrane processes, such as membrane separation and low-temperature technology coupling processes, for system integration and optimization, is key to further improving the economy of helium extraction. This article aims to reveal the global research and development trend of natural gas helium extraction technology, especially membrane separation helium technology, to help researchers accurately grasp research trends and provide support for scientific research institutions to formulate scientific policies and strategic plans.

Funds：

中国科学院文献情报建设能力建设专项资助：支撑产业链供应链自主可控的产业创新情报研究（E1291115）；中国科学院稳定支持基础研究领域青年团队项目（YSBR-017）

AuthorIntro：

张超（1982年-），博士，研究馆员，山东滨州人。主要研究方向为化工能源领域学科情报研究。

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