I saw [this video](https://youtu.be/V4qzwykYuNw) the other day: how do they isolate each individual gas like that? Which also led to me wondering how do they isolate helium in such large volumes so it can be used in party supply stores for balloons?
I’ve tried to read about air separation on Wikipedia but I definitely need someone to please.
In: Chemistry
For almost all common gases, you distill them, just like making liquor or gasoline but much colder. Cool the mix down until all components are liquid, then gradually heat it up: the one with the lowest boiling point boils off first, then the second, etc.
Just like alcohol or gasoline, you don’t get 100% separation from one boil-off stage, you have to do multiple cycles.
Helium in particular is a byproduct of natural gas production. Radioactive decay in rocks releases alpha particles (He nuclei) which accumulate in some of the same underground reservoirs that natural gas does. Liquefy the natural gas and the helium remains.
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