Methods for helium storage and supply

A method for supplying helium from at least one container to at least one end user comprising:

• supplying helium from at least one container of helium to at least one end user through at least one supply system,
• measuring a pressure of the helium in the at least one supply system by at least one pressure transmitter,
• measuring an amount of helium dispensed from the at least one container and supplied to the at least one end user with a mass flow meter in electronic communication with a programmable logic controller, wherein the programmable logic controller is in electronic communication with the at least one pressure transmitter,
• providing a signal to the programmable logic controller of the amount of helium dispensed for providing a signal to the at least one end user of a residual amount of helium that remains in the at least one container,
• providing a pressurization gas system in electronic communication with the programmable logic controller, the pressurization gas system including additional helium gas provided from an external helium source other than the at least one container of helium,
• instructing the pressurization gas system with the programmable logic controller to feed the additional helium gas from the external helium source to the at least one container, thereby controlling a temperature of the at least one container, and
• measuring cumulative consumption of the additional helium gas used to pressurize the at least one container for determining the residual amount of helium that remains in the pressurization gas system for calculating in advance (i) a residual content of the external helium source and (ii) when a new external helium source must be installed without having to weigh the at least one container.