ah, based on real research !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrodynamic_escape

i do like Tree's idea of being able to use it on owned planets, but again thematically it does not make sense since you are stripping the atmosphere.

okay, so if +2 size does not make sense thematically, is there anything the exchanger does that can be tweaked to make this worth pursuing ?

keeping the original arti / mining richness would not work as then you could get a VL 35x/35x/none Chthonian.

perhaps the gas stripped off can be converted into research points ?

Or maybe use the gas to surround your ship in fog to increase your cloak temporaly?

+30% cloak for one week maybe

It would be acceptable if used on your own planet but also destroyed every structure when used.
Stays in line with the science.