überschussgase

Überschussgase, a German term translating to "surplus gases" or "excess gases," refers to gases produced in excess during a particular industrial or chemical process. These gases are not the primary desired product of the reaction but are generated as a byproduct. Their management is a significant aspect of process engineering and environmental control.

The nature and quantity of überschussgase vary greatly depending on the specific industrial application. For instance, in the production of syngas, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are the main products, but nitrogen or other inert gases can be generated as überschussgase. Similarly, in fermentation processes for producing biofuels, carbon dioxide is a common überschussgas. In metal refining, various gases can be released that are not the target metal.

Handling überschussgase is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, safety is paramount, as some überschussgase can be flammable, toxic, or pose an asphyxiation risk. Secondly, environmental regulations often dictate strict limits on the emission of certain gases, such as greenhouse gases or pollutants. Therefore, these gases must be captured, treated, or safely disposed of.

Treatment methods for überschussgase can include purification to remove valuable components for reuse or sale, scrubbing to remove harmful substances, combustion to convert them into less harmful compounds, or sequestration. In some cases, überschussgase can be utilized as a fuel source, thereby recovering their energy content and reducing waste. The economic viability of these management strategies is an important consideration in process design.