Helium is used for many purposes that require some of its
unique properties, such as its low boiling point, low density, low
solubility, high thermal conductivity, or inertness. Of the ***8
world helium total production of about *2 million kg (**3 million
standard cubic meters) helium per year, the largest use (about *2%
of the total in ***8) is in cryogenic applications, most of which
involves cooling the superconducting magnets in medical MRI
scanners. Other major uses (totalling to about *8% of use in ***6)
were pressurizing and purging systems, maintenance of controlled
atmospheres, and welding. Other uses by category were relatively
minor fractions.
