Abstract: An annular-gap washer especially for scrubbing of industrial gases, comprises a central body which is axially shiftable in a housing defining an all-around clearance with the body. The clearance forms an annular gap through which the gas stream and water droplets from a spray nozzle axially spaced from the gap, are accelerated and brought into intimate contact. According to the invention at least over part of the gap, the mixture is subjected to an electrostatic field having generally radial field lines.

Abstract: A suspension of sulfur in a scrubbing liquid is preheated with steam to a temperature above the melting point of the sulfur so that the latter spontaneously melts in the suspension which is introduced into a separating chamber in a sealed vessel. The scrubbing liquid is decanted over a weir into a second chamber while the molten sulfur is drawn out at the bottom into a third chamber. The separating chamber is maintained at a pressure and temperature, by a vapor cushion above the liquid, such that evaporation of the incoming liquid does not occur, i.e. the separation pressure is the saturation pressure of the cushion. To prevent vapor condensation on the molten sulfur, the latter is maintained at a temperature higher than that of the liquid in the adjacent separating chamber.