Unlocking helium value
From overlooked reserves to revenue
Designed for low-helium natural gas, HCM delivers the pre-concentration step that makes recovery practical down to 0.05% He. A robust polyimide hollow-fiber platform provides continuous, low-maintenance separation and a cleaner feed to final purification.
Unlocking helium value
From overlooked reserves to revenue
Designed for low-helium natural gas, HCM delivers the pre-concentration step that makes recovery practical down to 0.05% He. A robust polyimide hollow-fiber platform provides continuous, low-maintenance separation and a cleaner feed to final purification.
Semicom HCM modules are designed to increase helium concentration in natural-gas–derived streams so that downstream polishing equipment can be smaller and simpler. In many developments, membranes are used as the front-end enrichment step that turns a low-helium feed into a manageable helium concentrate.
Helium projects are often constrained not by final purification technology, but by economics – moving and treating large volumes of methane and nitrogen just to capture traces of helium. A dedicated concentration stage reduces the volumetric load that must be handled in later purification, improving overall plant layout and cost structure.
Semicom HCM cartridges use polyimide hollow-fiber membranes. Under an applied pressure driving force, components in the feed separate according to their relative permeation rates through the membrane material. Helium preferentially transfers across the membrane, while the bulk natural-gas components remain largely on the pressurized side. The result is a helium-enriched stream suitable for further cleanup and a high-pressure natural-gas stream that can remain aligned with sales-gas handling.
For applications targeting 99.999% helium, Semicom supports a two-step approach:
Step A – Helium Enrichment (HCM membrane stage)
The membrane unit raises helium concentration and reduces the amount of methane and nitrogen that must be handled later. This stage is typically configured as single-stage or multi-stage depending on feed conditions and the targeted recovery.
Step B – Final Cleanup (adsorption polishing, PSA)
The enriched stream is then treated in an adsorption unit (PSA) to remove residual impurities and reach the final product specification. Because the membrane stage reduces bulk flow, the polishing section can be more compact.
Semicom HCM is positioned as the enabling pre-concentration interface that improves the overall economics of a helium purification train.
For applications targeting 99.999% helium, Semicom supports a two-step approach:
Step A – Helium Enrichment (HCM membrane stage)
The membrane unit raises helium concentration and reduces the amount of methane and nitrogen that must be handled later. This stage is typically configured as single-stage or multi-stage depending on feed conditions and the targeted recovery.
Step B – Final Cleanup (adsorption polishing, PSA)
The enriched stream is then treated in an adsorption unit (PSA) to remove residual impurities and reach the final product specification. Because the membrane stage reduces bulk flow, the polishing section can be more compact.
Semicom HCM is positioned as the enabling pre-concentration interface that improves the overall economics of a helium purification train.
Semicom HCM modules are intended for a broad set of field conditions and can be packaged as wellhead units or centralized facilities:
Helium in feed
In multi-stage recycle configurations
Plant throughput
Final purity
Polyimide platform selected for thermal stability and resistance to contaminants typically present in raw gas.
Tolerance to composition variability can simplify the pretreatment philosophy (case-specific confirmation required).
Modular packaging supports rapid deployment – from decision to first gas in less than 12 months, depending on scope and site readiness.
High membrane area density supports skid-based solutions suited for remote and space-constrained locations.
Head Office (UAE)
Tel.: +971 50 951 8133
E-mail: info@semicom-membrane.com
Business Center Logistics City,
Dubai Aviation City,
P.O.Box: 390667, Dubai, U.A.E.