Abstract: An apparatus for neutralizing basic fumes and acidic fumes and absorbing such fumes and the salts thereof in a liquid solvent comprising a vertically extending, columnar housing; a cylindrical gas flow passage at the bottom of the housing in inwardly spaced relationship therefrom; a tangential gas inlet connected to the inlet of the cylindrical gas flow passage extending through the housing and sealed from direct communication therewith; a conical, upwardly converging gas flow passage the inlet of which is connected in gas tight sealing relationship to the top and outlet of the cylindrical gas flow passage; downwardly directed liquid solvent spraying apparatus disposed in the housing above the outlet of the conical passage and directed downwardly along the projection of the axis of the conical passage; first coalescing apparatus disposed in the housing at a first elevation above the spraying apparatus and extending radially across the housing and abutting the entire circumference thereof at the first elevatio