Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling carbonate/bicarbonate concentrations and ratio in a chemical process having the steps of flowing a carbonate/bicarbonate solution through a measurement cell (202), exposing the solution to laser light of suitable wavelength and power (204); measuring the intensity of the scattered light using Raman spectroscopy (206); calculating the concentration of carbonate and bicarbonate from the intensity of the scattered light (208); and sending the measurement results to a programmable logic controller (210) to be used to control the ratio of carbonate and bicarbonate in the solution through adjusting process parameters. The method is useful in both carbon dioxide absorption processes and carbonate/bicarbonate regeneration processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants from a gas stream having components that work synergistically. The invention includes an ammonia based scrubbing solution for SO2 scrubbing; an SO2 absorption section (250) to create contact between the flue gas and the ammonia based scrubbing solution to remove SO2 from the flue gas; a wet electrostatic precipitator to remove aerosols and fine particulate matter from the flue gas; a regenerable carbonate scrubbing solution for CO2 scrubbing, a CO2 absorption section (252) for removal of CO2 adapted to create contact between the flue gas and the scrubbing solution and which operates at a temperature between 32 and 66 degrees C.