9 Jun
2007
9 Jun
'07
10:15 p.m.
On 9 Jun 2007 at 21:43, jd wrote:
> Helium is a very good thermal conductor but I
would suspect that
it is used
because it is cleaner and dryer than air and nitrogen
and truly inert and won't
chemically react with the medium. The helium was likely under pressure to reduce
the chance of air getting in. Since it can leak out much faster than nitrogen
and air, thanks to the physics of helium, the seals and sealing surfaces must be
in excellent condition. But no matter how good the seal, helium still leaks out
so it needs to be replenished from time to time.
So why wasn't another noble gas used, such as argon? I don't doubt
that helium might have been used, but I don't understand why.
Cheers,
Chuck