Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for achieving separation of particulate matter from a gas flow by interacting the gas flow with a water curtain within a contacting chamber. The gas flow enters the contacting chamber tangentially near the bottom thereof whereby it tends to spiral upwardly toward an exhaust opening at the top of the chamber. Means are provided to form a water curtain across the passage through which the gas flow enters the chamber whereby particulate matter such as dust carried in the gas flow is entrained by water droplets thereof. Above the area of the gas flow inlet passage, spaced-apart ring-like members are provided for disrupting the upwardly spiraling gas flow and forcing the flow away from the chamber's side wall. A chamber rinsing means is provided adjacent the upper end of the chamber for directing a rinsing water flow downwardly against the chamber side wall in a spiral flow countercurrent to the gas flow.

Abstract: An elongated cylindrical casing defines a contacting chamber of the type used in a gas effluent processing system. The casing is disposed with its longitudinal axis in a vertical orientation and has conduit means disposed to direct gas and liquid flows into the upper end of the chamber for generally downward concurrent intermixing progression whereby particulate matter is transferred from the gas flow to the liquid prior to discharge of the separate flows from the lower end of the contacting chamber. The lower discharge end of the casing has an improved structural configuration that overcomes certain problems inherent in prior art apparatus designed for accomplishing the same purpose. Flow control means is also disclosed for use within the chamber to further enhance the operational efficiency of the contacting chamber.