The Biomolecular NMR Shared Resource has received funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to install a resource-wide helium recovery system. The helium recovery system, Heliosmart, is from Bruker and will enable recovery and reliquification of the helium gas that boils off each of the six operating magnets in the Shared Resource. The system includes a large gas collection balloon, two initial stage air-cooled helium gas compressors, three large banks of steel gas cylinders (12 cylinders/bank), and final stage water-cooled helium compressors for purifying and re-liquifying the helium. The system is depicted schematically in the diagram below.
The Heliosmart system has been ordered and currently we are finalizing the site-planning for the installation of this system, which is expected in the Spring of 2027. The installation of this system is expected to reduce the consumption of liquid helium used by the Shared Resource by 90% or more, thus lowering the operational cost for the facility and increasing sustainability.
