Abstract: A process for the removal of acidic gases from carrier gases employing a finely divided alkaline sorbent material is disclosed. The process includes, optionally, the step of conditioning the carrier gas to lower its temperature. The process comprises introducing a stream containing the alkaline sorbent material and mixing the alkaline sorbent material and the carrier gas, introducing a stream of vapor and liquid droplets and mixing the stream of vapor and liquid droplets with the stream of carrier gas containing the alkaline sorbent material. Thereafter a portion of the vapor is condensed and the alkaline sorbent material reacted with the acid gases to form products of reaction. Finally, the products of reaction and the remaining alkaline sorbent material are separated from the carrier gas stream. Preferably, the alkaline sorbent material is calcium based, e.g., calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate and the vapor and liquid droplets comprise low pressure steam and water, respectively.

Abstract: A separator for liquids, such as oil and water, is provided. The separator comprises a tangentially-fed, cylindrical vortex generating chamber which communicates axially with a conical accelerating chamber so as to form an axially disposed vortex of the lower density liquid surrounded by the higher density liquid. Both liquids flow generally downwardly in a helical flow pattern and leave the liquid separator by gravity, the lower density liquid flowing freely through an axially disposed vortex finding tube. The axially disposed vortex finding tube may be adjusted in a plane normal to the axis of the accelerating chamber as well as in the direction of the axis of the accelerating chamber. Additionally, the vortex finding tube may contain a flexible section to permit oscillation of the mouth of the vortex finding tube in a plane normal to the axis of the accelerating chamber.