Abstract: Pulping liquor, which has been pre-concentrated to at least 50 weight percent solids, is dried in a fluidized bed dryer to produce a solid in particulate form. In the fluidized bed dryer, pre-formed particulates are fluidized by a gaseous medium substantially of superheated, unsaturated steam, and additional heat is supplied to the fluidized bed by higher pressure saturated steam passing through heat-exchange tubing within the fluidized bed region. Pulping liquor is introduced into the fluidized bed where the superheated steam vaporizes a substantial portion of its water content. The fluidizing steam becomes substantially saturated during its passage through the region of the fluidized bed, and a substantial portion of this substantially saturated steam is used upstream to pre-concentrate the pulping liquor.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous removal of sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides from power plant stack gases comprising contacting the stack gases with a supported iron oxide catalyst/absorbent in the presence of sufficient reducing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and mixtures thereof, to provide a net reducing atmosphere in the SO.sub.x /NO.sub.x removal zone. The sulfur oxides are removed by absorption substantially as iron sulfide, and nitrogen oxides are removed by catalytic reduction to nitrogen and ammonia. The spent iron oxide catalyst/absorbent is regenerated by oxidation and is recycled to the contacting zone. Sulfur dioxide is also produced during regeneration and can be utilized in the production of sulfuric acid and/or sulfur.