Degassing is the process of removing from anywhere (usually from air or liquids) harmful gases and toxic substances. It can be produced both by chemical and mechanical methods. In the first case, solutions of various degassing substances are usually used. Thus, the quality of drinking water, industrial oil, etc. can be improved. This method is often used to treat rooms after accidents at industrial enterprises and to clean the air in mines.
Why is drinking water degassed?
Removing various kinds of harmful gases from the water can not only make it harmless to health, but also healing: for example, with frequent sore throats, it is worthwhile to just gargle with it from time to time. At the same time, you can heal the gums and clean your teeth. Degassed water is believed to be beneficial for those who want to lose weight. It is also used for watering plants, with higher yields.
The method of Alexey Labazy
Water degassing in our time is most often carried out according to the method of Alexey Labazy, invented by him in 1989. The process consists of the following steps:
- Water is heated until air bubbles (84–86 ° C) begin to stand out, and bring it to a boil.
- Next, remove the pan from the heat and cool the liquid sharply under a flowing stream of cold water. In this case, the latter is not allowed to enter the vessel.
As a result of all these manipulations, water of a special crystalline structure is obtained. In its useful properties, it somewhat resembles natural melt.
Several methods have been developed to improve its qualities.
Ways to improve the performance of degassed water
So, degassing is a process, as a result of which a certain amount of gases is removed from water, and it acquires special properties. Improve the healing properties of such water in several ways:
- The special properties of silver are used. A piece of this metal is placed for a long time in a container with water already prepared according to the above method. Of course, it is not suitable for everyday use. They drink silver water in courses of 7 days with a break of 2-3 weeks.
- Water degassing can also be done with pre-freezing. The result is a healing fluid used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. At the same time, they take tap water and defend it for 3 days. Then it is filtered and placed in the refrigerator for freezing. After the water has completely turned into ice, it is taken out, heated and sharply cooled.
Ultrasonic fluid degassing
Since degassing is primarily the removal of harmful volatile substances from a liquid, this procedure can also be performed through exposure to ultrasound. A similar method due to its cheapness and speed is used very often. Its essence is as follows.
In any liquid, there are always small germinal gas bubbles. Under the influence of ultrasound, they begin to vibrate. In this case, the bubbles increase in size, since they absorb all the gas dissolved in water. This process makes them rise to the surface and dissolve in the surrounding air. Currently, there are the following methods of degassing by ultrasound:
- The most effective cavitation. This method uses large-sized converters that consume quite a lot of electricity (up to 10 kW).
- The precavitation method is carried out using simpler equipment (uncooled converters) that consumes a minimum of electricity (approximately 0.1 kW).
Oil degassing
First, foaming oil is achieved (under the influence of vacuum). At the end of this procedure, a certain part of the air remains in place. To remove it, degassing is continued. Oil degassing is used to remove air from it and prevent rapid oxidation. This operation is considered quite important. A similar method is used, for example, to improve the performance of transformer oil. In this case, the content of air bubbles leads to a decrease in the electrical strength of the insulation of the installations, since electrical discharges are formed in them. For the treatment of oils, a vacuum degassing unit is usually used. The process in this case consists of two stages:
- At the second stage, the oil is poured in a thin layer for additional diffusion under the influence of vacuum.
- In a third step, the insulation means is heated and a higher vacuum pressure is used.
Mine degassing
Degassing of mines is a special process of removing mine gas and air-gas mixture to the surface by collecting and suction. In this case, a piping system and boreholes are used. This reduces the flow of methane from coal seams into mines. In addition to pipes, degassing systems of mines consist of control, protective and recording equipment, degassing installations, control devices and drives.
Improving the methods for removing harmful volatile substances has allowed the creation of new techniques and methods for developing coal seams. There was a possibility of associated methane production. Currently used in three ways of degassing mines:
- Removal of methane from formations under development. Parallel wells are drilled and connected to a network of gas pipelines laid in mines.
- Degassing of adjacent formations with their preliminary unloading from rock pressure. In this case, part of the methane goes into a free state.
- Cleaning the worked out cavities. Such spaces are pre-enclosed by airtight plates and lintels. Then, with the help of gas pipelines, the air saturated with methane is drawn to the surface.
Degassing is an unusually important process, whether it is the preparation of healing water, improving the properties of oils or removing harmful substances from mines. In the latter case, the mine’s productivity, and sometimes the life and health of workers, depends on how carefully the operation is performed.