Abstract: The temperature of the flue gas entering a spray dryer SO.sub.2 absorption chamber (26) is increased so as to maintain the temperature of the flue gas leaving the spray dryer SO.sub.2 absorption chamber (26) at a preselected temperature above the adiabatic saturation temperature of the flue gas so as to permit greater amounts of sulfur oxide absorbent slurry (36) to be sprayed into the flue gas, thereby allowing the treatment of flue gas containing high levels of sulfur oxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for reheating stack gases leaving a plurality of scrubbers which uses water within an associated steam generator as the heating source. A heat exchanger receives heat from the boiler water transferring it to a low pressure fluid which is circulated through heat exchange surfaces downstream of each of the scrubbers. The flow of the high pressure boiler water is controlled in response to a temperature of the low pressure fluid thereby providing a means for minimizing the flow and return temperature of the high pressure water. The high pressure water is taken from a circulating pump discharge and returned to the circulating pump suction.

Abstract: A venturi-type rod scrubber for effecting the cleaning of the flue gas produced as a by-product of the combustion process that occurs during the course of the operation of fossil fuel firing steam generators, before the flue gas flows up the exhaust stack and is released to the atmosphere. The subject scrubber includes inlet means through which the flue gas enters the scrubber. A first spray system is suitably mounted in juxtaposed relation to the inlet means so as to be operative to introduce liquid into the stream of flue gas entering the scrubber through the inlet means. In alignment with but in spaced relation to the inlet means, the scrubber is provided with a throat region, i.e., a region of restricted cross-section. A plurality of spaced rows of parallel rods are suitably mounted within the throat region so as to extend substantially perpendicular to the path of flow of the flue gas flowing therethrough.