The Composition, Structure, and Helium Permeability of Glass-Crystalline Shells of Cenospheres

Abstract

The results of studying the relationship of the composition, structure, and the diffusive properties of glass-crystalline shells of cenospheres relative to helium are presented in a wide range of variations of macrocomponent and phase compositions, wt %: 58–68 of SiO2, 21–37 of Al2O3, 30–93 of glass phase, 1–50 of mullite, 0–15 of cristobalite, 1–7 of quartz, and 0–2 of anorthite. It is found that the helium permeability coefficients of the cenosphere glass phase exceed the similar values of silicate glass. The high level of permeability of cenosphere glass-crystalline shells ensures significant potential for their application as membrane elements of the diffusion–sorption technology of the selective recovery of helium from gas mixtures.