ANS:C - limiting the inerts.

In a chemical process, purging the recycle stream can serve several purposes, depending on the specific objectives of the process. Let's break down each option:

1. Increasing the product yield: Purging the recycle stream can remove byproducts or impurities that may accumulate during the process, thus preventing them from negatively affecting the yield of the desired product.
2. Enriching the product: By removing impurities or undesired components from the recycle stream through purging, the concentration of the desired product can be increased, thereby enriching the final product.
3. Limiting the inerts: In some cases, inert gases or other non-reactive components may accumulate in the recycle stream. Purging can help remove these inerts, preventing them from diluting the reaction mixture or interfering with the desired chemical reactions.
4. Heat conservation: Purging can also be employed to control the temperature of the process by removing excess heat generated during reactions. This can help maintain optimal reaction conditions and prevent overheating, which might lead to side reactions or product degradation.