Abstract: An elongated absorber housing, including an inlet duct and an outlet duct, is integrally provided on an upper portion of a circulation tank. The absorber is a self-supporting structure supported by only the circulation tank. At least the furthest upstream spraying stage in a spraying zone in the inlet duct includes spray pipes provided with spray nozzles for spraying an absorbing liquid in a direction cocurrent with gas flow, and at least the furthest downstream spraying stage includes spray nozzles for spraying the absorbing liquid in a direction countercurrent to the gas flow. The absorber is an integral structure in which the upper portion of the circulation tank forms a part of the duct, whereby the absorber is self-supportable and, moreover, is of a simple structure, giving it high strength and eliminating of the need for provision of fitments for supporting the absorber.