METHOD OF TREATING A GAS STREAM

摘要

A method is described for treating a gas stream containing either fuel only or both fuel and oxidant gases, such as hydrogen, nitrous oxide or a hydrocarbon gas. The gas stream is conveyed through a vacuum pumping arrangement comprising a plurality of pumping stages. Either immediately before or immediately after the final pumping stage, the steps of adding a gaseous oxidant to the gas stream and oxidising the fuel gas are performed. By treating the gas stream in this manner, the risk of uncontrolled combustion of the fuel gas can be minimised.