How to Use Helium in an Airship

Airships were originally filled with hydrogen, which is cheaper but more flammable than hydrogen. The discovery of natural gas fields in the United States has allowed American airships to use helium since the 1920s. The following steps will explain how to fill an airship with helium.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Calculate the amount of lift that will be provided by the helium. One cubic meter of pure helium gives about one kg of lift. The lighter helium will force out the air as it fills the blimp.
2. Spread the envelopes on the hangar floor. The envelopes are very strong and made from a combination of synthetic materials such as Dacron, Mylar, polyester and Tedlar. A modern airship consists of an outer envelope that protects the inner one from the elements. The inner envelope actually contains the helium.
3. Place a net over the envelope and hold it down with sand bags. Have plenty of trained personnel available as inflating an airship requires constant supervision.
4. Feed the gas into the inner envelope from tank cars. These tank cars typically contain 200,000 cubic feet of helium stored at 2,100 pounds per square inch (psi). Allow the net to slowly rise.
5. Attach the air valves, battens, fins, helium valves and nose cones as the envelope begins to inflate.
6. Continue to inflate the envelope until the gondola can be moved underneath. Attach the gondola and remove the net.
7. Rig the airship for flight.