Ontgast

Ontgast is the Dutch verb meaning to outgas, i.e., to remove gas from a material or liquid. The term is used in scientific and industrial contexts to describe processes that reduce the amount of dissolved or trapped gas to improve stability, purity, or performance. The infinitive form is ontgassen, and the third-person singular present tense is ontgast.

Applications of ontgassen occur across fields such as chemistry, materials science, metallurgy, electronics, food and beverage, and packaging. In chemistry and materials science, degassing is used to remove dissolved gases from liquids, melts, adhesives, and polymers. In metallurgy and steel production, vacuum degassing helps reduce hydrogen and nitrogen content to improve ductility and reduce porosity. In electronics and vacuum technology, degassing enhances vacuum quality and mitigates gas-related defects. In food and beverage processing, degassing can be used to remove excess carbonation or dissolved gases to influence flavor and stability, and in packaging to prevent gas buildup after sealing.

Common methods of ontgassen include vacuum degassing, heating under reduced pressure, sparging with inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon), and ultrasonic degassing. Equipment commonly involved comprises degassers, vacuum ovens, degassing chambers, and spargers. The choice of method depends on the material’s chemical compatibility, temperature sensitivity, desired gas content, and the required level of degassing.

See also: degassing, outgassing, degasser.