Gasspülung

Gasspülung, also known as gas purging or inerting, is a process used in various industrial and laboratory settings to remove unwanted gases or to create an inert atmosphere. This is typically achieved by introducing a different, usually inert, gas into a system. The purging gas displaces the original atmosphere, thereby reducing the concentration of reactive or undesirable components.

Commonly used purging gases include nitrogen, argon, and helium due to their low reactivity. The choice of gas depends on the specific application and the gases that need to be removed. For instance, nitrogen is widely used in welding to prevent oxidation of the molten metal and in food packaging to extend shelf life by preventing spoilage. Argon is often employed in specialized welding processes and in the semiconductor industry to maintain a clean and inert environment.

The process can be performed in several ways, such as flowing the purging gas through a vessel or piping, or by filling a sealed system with the inert gas and then evacuating and refilling it multiple times (a process known as vacuum purging or pressure purging). The effectiveness of gasspülung is determined by factors like the volume of the system, the flow rate of the purging gas, and the duration of the process. This technique is crucial for safety, quality control, and the successful execution of many chemical and manufacturing processes.