Abstract: A calcium sulfate anhydrite material is prepared from a spent absorbent resulting from desulfurization of flue gases. First the sulfite in the spent absorbent is oxidized into sulfate, preferably by heating in an oxygen containing gas, and thereafter the chloride content of the spent absorbent is reduced by heating the spent absorbent at a temperature of 600.degree.-950.degree., preferably 750.degree.-950.degree. C. together with fly ash. Said fly ash may be recovered together with the spent absorbent in the desulfurization process, or it may have been recovered separately and mixed with the spent absorbent.The product may be used as cement additive or for other purposes in which calcium sulfate anhydrite is conventionally utilized.

Abstract: In connection with the desulfurization and dedusting of flue gas where use is made of a combined spray drying and absorption and the material produced by this process is filtered off from the gas stream together with fly ash, a heating of the flue gas is performed prior to its discharge into the atmosphere by admixture of hot, non-purified flue gas. This admixture takes place so that the flue gas serving for the reheating passes through only a part of the available filter area, which allows the remaining part of the filter area to be kept at a relatively low temperature. This results in a particularly high sulfur dioxide absorption being achieved during the passage of the flue gas through the filter.A baghouse unit divided up in a special manner can be used in the process.