Steam degassing
Gases have the tendency to accumulate in enclosed spaces, which can be damaging to industrial equipment and cause interference with future actions that take place in those areas. As a result, steam degassing is a necessary maintenance process.
What is steam degassing?
Steam degassing is the process of eliminating those gases that have accumulated in tanks, pipelines, or other enclosed storage areas. Some of these gases are harmful to the environment if they are released, while others cause problems only for the equipment involved.
Thermal degassing
There are several methods for thermal degassing, but they most involve heating the solute to a high enough temperature that the dissolved gases are no longer soluble. Once those gases desorb from the liquid, they are driven out of the contained space and collected for treatment.
Damaging effects of gas vapors
Even something as seemingly innocuous as water can be damaging to the equipment that contains it. Carbon dioxide and oxygen gas may be present in dissolved gas form, which can have corrosive effects on metal that warrant regular cleanings and inspections. Steam degassing can be used to remove or reduce the concentrations of these gases.
In other cases, gas vapors have the most potentially damaging effects when the tanks are emptied. Tanks that once contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may leave environmentally harmful toxic residual gases that need to be enclosed and removed before the tank is cleaned or used again. Examples of gaseous VOCs include propane, butane, and methyl chloride. Tank owners must be cognizant of the pertinent regulations on degassing to avoid noncompliance penalties and other negative consequences.
For more information on steam degassing our to receive a fast and free quote, reach out to the waste management professionals at Clean Management. Our teams of local operators can help ensure that your business receives the services it needs and stays in compliance at every step of the way.
