Abstract: Eenrgy and process chemicals are recovered from spent liquor in pulp preparation by thermally decomposing the spent liquor to solid and gaseous products at an elevated pressure and with addition of oxygen. The supply of oxygen should be less than that stoichiometrically required for a complete combustion and the temperature at the decomposition should be below the temperature at which a melt is formed.After recovery of sulfur-containing compounds the gas formed can give off energy in a gas turbine, thereafter generate steam and finally be used for drying fuel which is subsequently gasified under pressure and provides a further contribution of energy in the form of a combustible gas.Process chemicals are recovered from the solid products in known manner.