Helium compressor

Helium (He) is an inert gas with an extremely low molecular weight. As a strategic rare gas, it is widely used in high-tech and precision industries. Its density is extremely low (only 0.1785 kg/m³ under standard conditions), and its boiling point and critical temperature are also extremely low (approximately -268.93°C and -267.9°C, respectively). It also has good thermal conductivity. Most critically, its adiabatic index (ratio of specific heats) is very high, leading to a very significant temperature rise during compression. This poses a core challenge to the design and temperature control of compressors.

DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSOR

PISTON COMPRESSOR

Advantages of Helium Diaphragm Compressor:

01

100% Oil-Free and Ultimate Purity Retention:

The diaphragm compressor uses a metal diaphragm to completely physically isolate the hydraulic oil from the compressed gas, achieving absolutely no lubrication in the cylinder. This characteristic ensures that the helium is not contaminated by any oil during compression, maintaining an ultra-high purity of over 99.999%, fully meeting the stringent cleanliness requirements of the semiconductor, scientific research, and medical fields.
02

Static Seal Zero Leakage and High-Pressure Capability:

The gas is sealed within the chamber formed by the diaphragm and cylinder head, which is a static sealing structure that fundamentally prevents gas leakage. This is crucial for preventing the loss of expensive helium. Simultaneously, this compressor type offers a high single-stage compression ratio, enabling it to achieve discharge pressures up to 50 MPa or even higher with fewer stages, making it highly suitable for high-pressure helium filling and transportation.

Key Design Points for Helium Diaphragm Compressor:

01

Strictly Control the Single-Stage Compression Ratio and Enhance Cooling:

Given helium's high adiabatic index and significant temperature rise during compression, the design must strictly control the single-stage compression ratio to prevent excessively high discharge temperatures that could affect equipment stability and diaphragm life. An efficient inter-stage cooling and final cooling system (water-cooled or forced air-cooled) must be provided to make the compression process as close to isothermal as possible, effectively controlling the temperature rise.
02

Use Compatible Materials and High-Cleanliness Treatment:

All flow-wetted components in contact with helium should be made of compatible materials such as high-quality stainless steel (e.g., 304, 316L). During manufacturing and assembly, these components must undergo strict degreasing, cleaning, and drying processes to eliminate any potential sources of contamination and ensure the initial purity of the gas.
03

Configure Multiple Safety and Purity Monitoring Systems:

A diaphragm rupture monitoring and alarm device must be installed to immediately alarm upon diaphragm failure, preventing oil-gas mixing. The system should be equipped with safety valves at each stage for overpressure protection.

Certificate

MODEL SELECTION

Model G70Z/G95Z/G110Z/G130Z	Piston Stroke 70mm~130mm	Maximum Piston Force 10KN~30KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 70Mpa	Flow Range 1~500Nm³/h	Motor Power 2.2KW~30KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water Cooled/Air Cooled

Model G70V/G95V/G130V	Piston Stroke 70mm~130mm	Maximum Piston Force 10KN~30KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 50Mpa	Flow Range 1~200Nm³/h	Motor Power 2.2KW~30KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water-cooled / Air-cooled

Model G110L/G130L	Piston Stroke 110mm~130mm	Maximum Piston Force 20KN~40KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 100Mpa	Flow Range 10~1000Nm³/h	Motor Power 7.5KW~90KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water-cooled / Air-cooled

Model G110D/G130D/G150D/ G180D/G182D/G210D	Piston Stroke 110mm~210mm	Maximum Piston Force 20KN~160KN
Maximum Discharge Pressure 100Mpa	Flow Range 30~2000Nm³/h	Motor Power 22KW~200KW
Crankshaft Speed 420rpm	Cooling Method Water-cooled / Air-cooled

Diaphragm type compressor

Piston stroke 70mm

Flow(Nm3/h)

Inlet pressure(barg)

Outlet pressure(barg)

No.	Model	Cooling water	Flow	Inlet pressure	Outlet pressure	Dimensions L×W×H	Weight	Motor Power
No.	Model	(L/h)	(Nm³/h)	(MPa)	(MPa)	(≈mm)	(≈kg)	(kW)
1	GZ-2/3	500	2	Atmospheric	0.3	1200×700×1100	0	2.2
2	GZ-5/0.5-10	500	5	0.05	1	1400×740×1240	650	2.2
3	GZ-5/13-200	500	5	1.3	20	1500×760×1200	750	4
4	GV-8/8-160	500	8	0.8	16	1310×686×580	800	3
5	GV-10/8-160	500	10	0.8~0.7	16	1200×600×1100	800	4
6	GV-10/8-220	1000	10	0.8	22	1330×740×1080	800	11
7	GL-10/160	1000	10	Atmospheric	16	2200×1200×1300	3000	7.5
8	GL-25/15	1000	25	Atmospheric	1.5	2200×1200×1300	3000	7.5
9	GL-20/12-160	1000	20	1.2	16	2200×1200×1300	3000	7.5
10	GD-120/4-80	3000	120	0.4	8	3000×1600×1400	4000	30
11	GD-130/0.98-11	3000	130	0.098	1.1	3000×1800×1600	4000	30
12	GD-150/2-20	4000	150	0.2	2	3000×1800×1600	3800	37

The equipment size and weight are for reference only, and the final design shall prevail.

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CASE STUDY

Russia
UNITED STATES
Spain
Kazakhstan

Advantages of Helium Reciprocating Compressor:

01

Wide Range of Flow and Pressure Adaptability and Economy:

Reciprocating compressors can accommodate a broad displacement range from small to large (e.g., 100–50,000 Nm³/h), with discharge pressures covering high-pressure ranges up to over 20 MPa, offering flexible options for helium recovery and processing units of different scales. This compressor type features mature technology, relatively lower procurement and maintenance costs, and higher operational economy.
02

High Volumetric Efficiency and Reliability:

The reciprocating design offers high volumetric efficiency, enabling efficient gas delivery. Proven through long-term industrial operation, it is stable, reliable, and highly controllable, making it especially suitable for industrial applications requiring continuous and stable operation.

Key Design Points for Helium Reciprocating Compressor:

01

Core Focus on Temperature Rise Control and Stage Design:

The key to overcoming the challenge of helium compression lies in managing its high adiabatic index. The design must carefully calculate and limit the single-stage compression ratio. Multi-stage compression combined with high-efficiency interstage coolers is typically required to strictly control the final discharge temperature within the allowable range (e.g., ≤150 °C), preventing lubricating oil carbonization (if oil-lubricated) or performance degradation of self-lubricating materials (if oil-free).
02

Oil-Free Lubrication Structure and High-Performance Sealing:

To maintain helium purity, an oil-free lubrication design should be prioritized. The cylinder, piston rings, and rider rings should use self-lubricating materials such as filled PTFE. Given helium's extremely small molecular size and high leakage tendency, the sealing design of the piston rod packing is critical. Labyrinth seals or nitrogen buffer seal systems may be required to minimize process gas leakage.
03

System Integration and Pulsation Suppression:

Properly sized inlet and outlet buffer tanks should be installed to effectively absorb and reduce the inherent pressure pulsation of the reciprocating compressor, ensuring stable operation of downstream processes and accuracy of measurement instruments. The entire system should be equipped with comprehensive temperature and pressure safety interlocks, and adequate ventilation must be ensured in areas where helium may leak.

Certificate

MODEL SELECTION

Z Type

V / W Type

M Type

D Type

Piston stroke 80mm, 95mm	Piston force 10KN～25KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 1/2
Crankshaft speed 740 rpm, 980 rpm	Power 7.5KW-55KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Piston stroke 92mm~120mm	Piston force 25KN~65KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 2/3/4
Crankshaft speed 740 rpm, 980 rpm	Power 15KW-220KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Piston stroke 92mm~315mm	Piston force 45KN~660KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 4
Crankshaft speed 300rpm~980rpm	Power 160KW-3000KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Piston stroke 92mm~315mm	Piston force 25KN~200KN
Number of compression stages 1/2/3/4	Number of cylinder banks 2
Crankshaft speed 300rpm~980rpm	Power 30KW-1000KW
Drive mode Electric motor, diesel engine, natural gas engine

Vertical type

Oil-free / F: Air-cooled

1.5

Actual volume flow (m3/min)

Inlet pressure(barg)

Outlet pressure(barg)

S/N	Model	Flow	Inlet pressure	Outlet pressure	Motor power
S/N	Model	(Nm³/h)	(Mpa)	(MPa)	(kW)
1	ZW-1.5/1-12	180	0.1	1.2	22
2	ZW-1.4/2-40	250	0.2	4	37
3	ZW-1.3/4-25	340	0.4	2.5	37
4	VW-15/0.5-3	1200	0.05	0.3	75
5	VW-9.7/1-10	1100	0.1	1	110
6	VW-7.2/1-22	800	0.1	2.2	132
7	DW-0.5/20-200	600	2	20	110
8	DW-3.8/10-45	2300	1	4.5	185
9	DW-11/4-20	3000	0.4	2	250
10	MW-7/2-150	16984	0.2	15	280
11	MW-5/20-160	1500	2	16	710
12	MW-20/10-45	8000	1	4.5	1000