DELOACH BLOG

Understanding Degasification and Decarbonation

In industrial and municipal water treatment systems, controlling dissolved gas levels is crucial for maintaining optimal performance, ensuring safety, and ensuring compliance. The term “Degasification” (or “Decarbonation”) refers to the process of removing unwanted gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and oxygen (O₂) from water.

While both processes share the same purpose of gas removal, the terminology changes based on the type of gas being targeted:

Decarbonation is typically used when removing carbon dioxide (CO₂).

- Degasification most often refers to the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or other dissolved gases.

These processes are a critical step in water treatment, especially when preparing water for reverse osmosis (RO), boiler feed systems, or industrial reuse applications.

How Degasification Works

Degasification operates on the principle of transferring gases from water into the air. By forcing air through the water stream inside a degasification or decarbonation tower, the system promotes mass transfer, allowing the unwanted gases to escape.

Key factors influencing degasification efficiency

- Inlet Water Flow Rate: Higher flow rates require larger towers or more efficient packing media.

- Water Temperature: Warmer water releases gases more readily.

- Ambient Air Temperature: Impacts air density and transfer rate.

- Gas Concentration: Measured in ppm, ppb, or mg/L, this determines the tower’s design and airflow volume.

- Desired Effluent Levels: Defines the level of purity required for downstream applications.

Understanding these variables enables engineers to design a customized degasification system that meets stringent quality standards. For example, systems treating well water high in hydrogen sulfide must maintain consistent airflow and contact time to ensure complete removal of the gas.

To learn more about custom-engineered degasification systems, visit DeLoach Industries.

Applications: Reverse Osmosis and Membrane Filtration

Degasification is often integrated after Reverse Osmosis (RO) or membrane filtration to remove residual gases that pass through the membrane, such as H₂S and CO₂.

1. Reducing Chlorine Demand

By eliminating these gases before chlorination, operators can significantly reduce chlorine consumption, improving disinfection efficiency and minimizing chemical costs.

2. Improving Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Levels

Removing dissolved gases also enhances TSS performance, resulting in clearer, higher-quality permeate.

3. Adjusting pH Without Chemicals

When CO₂ is removed, the pH naturally rises, helping stabilize the water without the need for caustic chemicals or lime, making degasification an eco-friendly solution for optimizing water treatment.

For a deeper dive into membrane treatment post-processes, explore DeLoach Industries’ water treatment solutions.

Managing Off-Gas and Odor Control

In some cases, the air discharged from a degasification or decarbonation tower can contain elevated H₂S levels, creating odor nuisances or even health and safety hazards for nearby personnel.

1. Why Off-Gas Treatment Is Essential

Hydrogen sulfide, when combined with moisture, forms sulfuric acid, which corrodes nearby equipment and building materials. This makes off-gas treatment essential in steam processes, boiler feed systems, and industrial wastewater applications.

2. Odor Control and Scrubber Systems

To mitigate emissions, facilities often install air scrubbers or odor control systems directly onto the off-gas line. These scrubbers use chemical or biological media to neutralize odors and capture harmful gases before release.

DeLoach Industries offers custom-engineered odor control and degasification solutions that integrate seamlessly with your existing treatment systems. Learn more about industrial water treatment technologies at www.deloachindustries.com.

The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Degasification

Degasification systems are not only effective, they’re also highly economical compared to chemical treatment methods.

Some key advantages include:

- Reduced chemical usage and maintenance costs

- Extended equipment life by preventing corrosion

- Improved water quality consistency

- Compliance with EPA and OSHA air quality standards

In municipal systems, this can translate into lower operational costs and enhanced environmental performance, especially when paired with other sustainable technologies, such as odor-control scrubbers and biotrickling filters.

Partner with DeLoach Industries for Advanced Water Treatment Solutions

For over 65 years, DeLoach Industries has been a trusted leader in designing and manufacturing custom degasification, decarbonation, and odor control systems for industrial and municipal clients worldwide.

Whether you need to remove hydrogen sulfide, naturally raise pH levels, or enhance the performance of your reverse osmosis system, our team can design a customized solution that meets your exact specifications.

Contact DeLoach Industries today at (941) 371-4995 to request a quote or speak with a water treatment expert.

Topics: degasification, water treatment, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Decarbonation, carbon dioxide, degasifier, removal of CO2 from water, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Industrial water treatment, Water Treatment Technologies, membrane filtration

The Evolution of Water Treatment Technologies

Topics: water treatment issues, degasification, water treatment, Decarbonation, degasifier, decarbonation of water, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Industrial water treatment, Water Treatment Technologies

The Fundamentals of Water Decarbonation

Water decarbonation, also known as degasification, is the process of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from water. This procedure is essential in various sectors, including aquaculture, municipal water treatment, industrial processes, and the food & beverage industry. The presence of CO2 in water can lead to multiple problems, including equipment corrosion, reduced efficiency in water treatment systems, and negative impacts on aquatic life.

Topics: water treatment issues, degasification, water treatment, Decarbonation, degasifier, removal of CO2 from water, CO2 in water, decarbonation of water, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Henry's Law

In modern industrial water treatment, advancements in technology and processes have revolutionized the way contaminants are removed from water.

This blog explores the integration of NSF/ANSI 61 certified systems, artificial intelligence in water treatment, and cutting-edge processes such as decarbonation and degasification. We'll also discuss the key differences between forced draft and induced draft degasification towers, helping you make informed decisions while designing your Industrial Water Treatment System.

1. NSF/ANSI 61-Certified Water Treatment Systems: To ensure the safety and quality of water treatment equipment, NSF/ANSI 61 certification has become a crucial standard. This certification verifies that materials and components used in water treatment systems comply with health and safety requirements. When selecting a water treatment solution, opting for NSF/ANSI 61 certified systems guarantees peace of mind and adherence to the highest industry standards.

2. Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Water Treatment: Artificial intelligence (AI) has penetrated various industries, and water treatment is no exception. Integrating AI into water treatment processes allows for more efficient and optimized operations. AI-driven systems can monitor water quality in real-time, predict system failures, optimize chemical dosing, and reduce energy consumption. By leveraging AI technologies, water treatment facilities can enhance their overall performance and streamline resource utilization.

3. Decarbonation and Degasification Systems: Decarbonation and degasification are essential processes in industrial water treatment, particularly in pH levels in water and the ability to control removing the contaminants. These processes target the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other dissolved gases from water to improve its quality. Two key systems used for this purpose are the decarbonator and aeration system.

Topics: degasification, advanced treatment solutions, biological scrubber, NSF/ANSI 61, Chemical Odor, Decarbonation, Safe drinking water, De-Aeration, decarbonator, degasifier, degassed water, ansi61, nsf/ansi61, Deagasification, decarbonation of water, DeLoach Industries, Inc., Drinking Water, Industrial Odor Control, DeLoach Industries, contaminants, process system, safe drinking water act, drinking water standards, environmental safety, air emissions, Forced Draft, Induced Draft

Degasification and decarbonation are essential processes in water treatment that play a crucial role in improving water quality.

Topics: degasification, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Decarbonation, dissolved gases, decarbonator, degasifier, gases, carbonic acid, H2S Degasifier, co2 dissolved in water, degassed water, decarbonation of water, DeLoach Industries, Inc., hydrogen sulfide molar mass, DeLoach Industries, carbon filters, removing hydrogen sulfide in water, hydrogen sulfide gas, dissolved oxygen

Requires an application commonly referred to as either “Degasification” or "Decarbonation" and it requires the use of a piece of water treatment equipment called either a “degasifier” or a “decarbonator”.

Both of these are similar in nature and are designed for Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) removal from the incoming water. A properly designed decarbonator can remove 99.99% of the free carbon dioxide gas that is present in the water stream. One of the primary reasons for utilizing a decarbonator or degasifier for the removal of carbon dioxide gas is the raise the pH of the water without the need to add caustic. resulting in high-purity water.

The other reason is the remove the CO₂ prior to treating the water with Ion Exchange which utilizes Anion or Cation resins to reduce the regeneration cycles for the resin beds. High concentrations of CO₂ consume the ion charge within the resins and require more frequent regeneration cycles. The difference between anion and cation resins is that one is positively charged (anion) and the other is negatively charged (cation), cation resins, attract positive ions with their negative charge.

The term decarbonation describes the process of the removal of suspended gas or the conversion of carbonic acids into free Carbon Dioxide. Carbonic Acid (H₂CO₃) is stable at normal ambient anhydrous conditions. However, Carbonic Acid decomposes when not stable and in the presence of any water molecules to form carbon dioxide (CO₂).  The Carbonic acid breaks down when present in water and it is converted to a gas based upon certain conditions. It is common to have CO₂ present in water requiring a decarbonation process when utilizing certain types of water filtration such as membrane filtration with reverse osmosis or it can be present when the need to adjust pH is required. When removing (CO₂) the process is often referred to as “Decarbonation”, when removing (H₂S) Hydrogen Sulfide the process is often referred to as “Degasification”. 

Topics: water treatment issues, degasification, pH levels of water, aeration, iron oxidation, water treatment, water plant, bicarbonate, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), pH levels, Decarbonation, ION Exchange Resin, dissolved gases, De-Aeration, wastewater, carbon dioxide, oxygen, decarbonator, degasifier, gases, carbonic acid, H2S Degasifier

The Basics of Water Decarbonation

and the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2). The need to remove (CO2) is essential in most Aquaculture, Municipal, Industrial, and Food & Beverage Processes To understand you must familiarize yourself with Henry’s Law.

Henry's Law defines the method and proportional relationship between the amount of a gas in a solution in relation to the gas's partial pressure in the atmosphere. Often you will see and hear various terms like degasification, decarbonation, aeration, and even air stripping when discussing the removal of dissolved gases and other convertible elements from water. Understanding the impacts that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) can have on both equipment and aquatic life provides the basic reasons why the need to decarbonate water, exists. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) can exist naturally in the raw water supply or be the result of ph control and balance. In either case, the process called Decarbonation or Degasification provides the most cost-effective and efficient manner to reduce or tally remove (CO2) from the water. In addition to Carbon Dioxide (CO2), water can contain a variety of other contaminants that may impact the removal efficiency of the Carbon Dioxide. A variety of elements as well as dissolved gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide (CO2). A full analytical review of the water chemistry is required to properly design and size the “Water Treatment” process.

Breaking the bonds in water releases a dissolved gas

such as carbon dioxide (CO2) you must change the conditions of the vapor pressure surrounding the gas and allow the gas to be removed.  There are many variables to consider when designing or calculating the “means and methods” of the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2). When I refer to the means and methods. I am referring to the design of a decarbonator and its components. The means equals the size and type (Hydraulic load) of the decarbonator and the “method” equals the additional variables such as the cubic foot of airflow (CFM) and “Ratio” of the air to water to accomplish the proportional condition needed to remove the carbon dioxide (CO2).

Topics: water treatment issues, degasification, pH levels of water, aeration, iron oxidation, water treatment, water plant, bicarbonate, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), pH levels, Decarbonation, ION Exchange Resin, dissolved gases, De-Aeration, wastewater, carbon dioxide, oxygen, degasifier, gases, carbonic acid, H2S Degasifier, removal of CO2 from water

The EPA and other world health organizations have sounded the alarm on the dangers and health impacts of being exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs & PFOAs) also known as the forever chemicals.

In response, federal and state regulators are adopting new water quality guidelines and laws to address these contaminants in our drinking water systems and groundwater pollution. It's a pervasive issue, as PFASs can be found in various types and over 4,700 different variations, each with at least three polyfluorinated carbon atoms.

With more than 10,000 types of PFASs introduced into products, it's no wonder that the quality of drinking water in the USA and other countries has been compromised. But what exactly are PFASs? These are fluorinated substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom. While they do not contain atoms like hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, any chemical with a perfluorinated (CF3) or perfluorinated (CF2) component falls under the PFAS category. However, there are a few exceptions.

PFASs can be further classified into subgroups such as surfactants, perfluorosulfonic acids, perfluorooctane sulfonic acids, perfluorocarboxylic acids, and perfluorooctanoic acids (commonly referred to as PFOSs and PFOAs). These persistent organic pollutants, also known as "forever chemicals," pose a significant challenge due to their resistance to environmental degradation. As a result, they are found in humans, animals, and water supplies across the USA.

Topics: degasification, NSF/ANSI 61, Decarbonation, Safe drinking water, ansi61, Co2 ph, CO2 in water, Deagasification, hydrogen ion, DeLoach Industries, Inc.

Water demineralization is also called deionization and is a process known as “Ion Exchange.”

In simple terms, water demineralization is “Water Purification.” The process involves removing dissolved ionic mineral solids from a feed-water process, typically for “Industrial” water applications. Still, it can also be utilized to remove dissolved solids from a water process for “Aquaculture,” “Food and Beverage,” and the “Municipal” markets.

Why is demineralization utilized? It can remove dissolved solids to near distilled water quality at a much lower capital and operational cost than other treatment processes such as membrane softening (Reverse Osmosis). Demineralization applies the science known as “Ion Exchange,” which attracts negative and positive charged ions and allows either to attach themselves to a negative ion depending on their respective current negative or positive charge during what is known as a resin cycle. In other technical articles, we will explore and go into more specific details on the science of the ion exchange process. Water that has dissolved salts and minerals has ions, either negatively charged ions known as “Anions” or positively charged ions known as “Cations.” To treat the water and remove these contaminants, the ions in the water are attracted to counter-ions, which have a negative charge. In a demineralization treatment process, there are pressure vessels that hold resin beads which are typically made of plastic. The beads are made from a plastic material with an ionic functional group that allows them to hold and maintain an electrostatic electrical charge. Some of these resin groups are negatively charged, referred to as “Anion” resins, while others hold a positive charge and are called “Cations” resins.

There are different applications to apply Ion exchange technologies, which is why you will often hear different terminology interchanged like deionization and demineralization. The raw water quality and the specific application will dictate the type of ion exchange process needed. For example, if the water contains a high level of hardness, the water will most likely contain Ca2+ or Mg2+ dissolved solids possessing a positive charge. To replace these hard ions, it is typical to utilize a resin bed with a salt ion like Na+. As the water passes over the resin bead material within the pressure vessel. The hard ions are replaced with the salt ion; therefore, all the hardness within the water is removed. However, the water will now contain a higher concentration of sodium ions, and this must be considered during the evaluation and selection process of the type of resin material to utilize for the specific application. If the water application requires high purity and the removal of as many solids as possible, then the term or process selected is referred to as demineralization.

Topics: water treatment issues, water quality, degasification, pH levels of water, water treatment, water distribution system, advanced treatment solutions, water plant, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), media packing, Decarbonation, ION Exchange Resin, decarbonator, degasifier, RO system, H2S Degasifier, Aquaculture, degassed water, Co2 ph, removal of CO2 from water, Deagasification, decarbonation of water, hydrogen ion, particulate matter, municipal water systems, industrial facilities, automated control systems, Ion exchange, cations, anions

In process control systems, it is often required to handle fluids that have a harsh chemical nature. In these cases, it is necessary to be aware of material-chemical compatibility. Chemical compatibility is a general term referring to the way a specific chemical interacts with a specific material. This information is taken into consideration when selecting materials for construction for tanks, valves, pipework, tubing, and other devices that may encounter harsh chemicals. Common chemical types that are used in process systems are acids, bases, corrosives and oxidizers, and hydrocarbons. Typical chemical-resistant materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, vinyl polymers, fluoropolymers, and stainless steel. In order to determine which materials are compatible with certain chemicals, a chemical compatibility chart is often used. A chemical compatibility chart contains tabulated data about how a given material interacts with a given chemical.

Often, the manufacturer of the equipment or material in question will have their own compatibility chart for their specific goods. Most compatibility charts will have the same type of information. Materials will be categorized along one axis of the table, with fluids or gasses categorized along the other axis. At the intersection of a material with a fluid, you will find an indication of the level of compatibility. Some charts will use an A-F categorization, others may use a more graphical style. Most charts will be accompanied by a key or guide that explains how to use the table. There may also be multiple concentration levels and temperature ranges for a given fluid in cases where the distinction makes a difference with compatibility.

Topics: degasification, pH levels of water, water treatment, advanced treatment solutions, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), pH levels, caustic, Decarbonation, decarbonator, degasifier, Deagasification