Degassers

Degassers are devices or systems designed to remove dissolved gases from liquids. They are used in industries where the presence of dissolved gases can cause packaging issues, product instability, corrosion, or defects in processing. Degassing typically relies on reducing the gas partial pressure in contact with the liquid, introducing an inert gas to carry away dissolved gases, or increasing the surface area available for gas exchange.

Common technologies include vacuum degassers, where the liquid is exposed to low pressure to drive dissolved gases out; gas-stripping or sparging, where bubbles of an inert gas pass through the liquid to remove gases like oxygen or carbon dioxide; and membrane degassers, which use gas-permeable barriers to transfer dissolved gases out of the liquid while retaining the liquid. Some systems employ high-shear agitation or ultrasonic energy to accelerate gas release. In steel production, degassing equipment removes hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen to improve material quality.

Applications span several sectors. In the food and beverage industry, degassers remove undesired CO2 or oxygen from wort, wine, syrups, and beverages to improve stability and shelf life. In water treatment and boiler systems, degassers reduce dissolved oxygen to minimize corrosion. In chemical processing and polymer manufacturing, they remove entrained air and volatile solvents to enhance product quality and process control. In pharmaceuticals and electronics, hygienic and contaminant-free degassing is often required to meet purity standards.

Design considerations include material compatibility (often stainless steel), temperature and pressure ranges, removal efficiency, residence time, and ease of cleaning and maintenance.