Highlights:
1、LifenGas’s helium recovery unit for Tongding Interconnection has operated stably for 5 years, achieving a recovery efficiency of approximately 40%.
2、Designed for exhaust containing only 15% helium, the system purifies it to 5N high‑purity helium for direct recycling into fiber production.
3、The core process includes catalytic oxidation for hydrogen removal, cryogenic nitrogen removal, and cryogenic adsorption, operating fully automatically without on‑site supervision.
4、The project significantly cuts helium procurement costs and carbon emissions, setting a replicable benchmark for low‑concentration helium recovery.
The optical fiber helium recovery project built by LifenGas for Tongding Interconnection Information Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Tongding”) has now been operating continuously for five years. The system recovers low-concentration helium from fiber drawing exhaust (about 15% helium content), purifies it to 5N (99.999%) high-purity helium, and recycles it back to the production line. The overall recovery efficiency has remained stable at approximately 40%, saving significant helium procurement costs and reducing resource waste and carbon emissions.
In optical fiber manufacturing, helium is essential as a carrier and shielding gas, requiring high purity and large volumes. Traditionally, exhaust gas was vented directly, leading to substantial waste and higher operating costs. Tongding, a key player in China’s optical communications industry, commissioned Shanghai LifenGas to design a tailored recovery and purification system for its low-concentration helium exhaust.
LifenGas’s technical team analyzed the exhaust composition (main impurities: hydrogen, nitrogen) and implemented a core process consisting of catalytic oxidation for hydrogen removal, cryogenic condensation for nitrogen removal, and cryogenic adsorption for final purification. The exhaust first enters a deoxygenation unit to precisely remove hydrogen, then passes through a cryogenic condensation system to separate most of the nitrogen, and finally goes through a cryogenic adsorber to remove residual impurities. The product helium purity consistently reaches 5N or higher, fully meeting fiber drawing requirements.
The compact, highly automated system operates 24/7 with minimal supervision. Since commissioning, its uptime has exceeded 95%, product purity remains compliant, and recovery efficiency stays above 40%. Based on Tongding’s annual fiber output, the system reduces helium consumption by tens of thousands of cubic meters each year, delivering significant direct economic and environmental benefits.
A Tongding project leader said: “LifenGas provided a mature, reliable helium recovery solution that has greatly reduced our dependence on purchased helium and set a replicable example for the industry’s green transformation.”
LifenGas specializes in industrial off-gas recovery and high-purity gas purification, holding multiple proprietary technologies. The company offers end-to-end capabilities in helium, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and other gas recovery, from process design and engineering procurement to operation and maintenance. Shanghai LifenGas will continue to drive the gas circular economy -and support low-carbon, high-quality development in China’s optical communications industry.
Post time: May-14-2026
