Abstract: The invention provides a process for minimizing the emission of particulate matter and precursors thereof from a flue gas stream of an engine comprising particulate matter and precursors thereof and at least one gaseous component. The process includes the steps of obtaining a flue gas stream of an engine comprising particulate matter and precursors thereof; increasing the moisture content of the stream by contacting it with a first aqueous medium in an amount and at a temperature at which at least 50% of the water content of the first aqueous medium is evaporated; whereby a moisture laden gas stream, optionally containing suspension droplets, is formed; cooling the moisture laden gas stream whereby suspension droplets are formed; and applying a centrifugal force to the moisture laden gas stream and to the suspension droplets to effect the swirling thereof, whereby a treated gaseous stream and an aqueous stream are formed.

Abstract: The invention provides a cyclone unit for the removal of contaminants from flue gases by combination of a gaseous stream with an aqueous stream, comprising a housing defined by a cylindrical peripheral wall, by upper and lower extremities, and by a core element, the housing having a longitudinal axis and being provided with at least one inlet opening for receiving a gaseous stream and a plurality of inlet openings for receiving an aqueous stream thereinto, the cyclone unit further comprising at least one swirling means concentrically positioned and mounted within the housing coaxially with the longitudinal axis so as to provide a first annular space between an inner surface of the housing peripheral wall and the outer facing surfaces of the swirling means and to provide a second inner annular space between inwardly facing surfaces of the swirling means and the core element, the swirling means incorporating a plurality of slit-like elongated openings extending substantially tangentially with respect to the inn

Abstract: A cyclone separator for separating a solid particulate from the gas or liquid medium is described. The separator is provided with a housing (H), an outlet (4) for discharging the solid particulate separated from the medium, a pipe (13) for evacuating the clean fluid from the housing (H) and a swirling means capable of imparting vortical motion to the medium. The swirling means is formed with a plurality of slit-like openings (16) arranged on the periphery thereof.