Abstract: A method has been discovered for stripping aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants from wastewater and retaining the aromatic hydrocarbons on activated carbon. The wastewater is contacted countercurrently with stripping gas. The stripping gas is passed over a bed of activated carbon to regenerate the stripping gas. The entire volume of stripping gas is recycled to the stripping vessel. There is no purge of stripping gas or aromatic hydrocarbons to the atmosphere. The removed aromatic hydrocarbons are retained by the activated carbon and periodically recovered. An activated carbon particularly adapted for retaining and recovering aromatic hydrocarbons has been found.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for spraying a liquid into a flue gas provides a boundary layer of gas along a perimeter of a dry scrubber housing to prevent deposition of wet material on the sidewalls thereof. The boundary layer of gas includes the use of heated air, particulate free flue gas, and/or dust laden flue gas. The system is operated at/or near the saturation temperature to further increase removal efficiencies and reagent utilization.