Abstract: High efficiency scrubbing of SO.sub.2 from stack gases by contact with a sodium based liquor is achieved by adjusting the pH of the scrubber liquor supplied to be in the range of 7.00 to 8.00; and a source of such liquor in a dual alkali system is disclosed in which a mixture of slaked lime and limestone is reacted with spent liquor in two stages one of which is at pH above 8.00, the other of which is at a pH below about 6.8 and the pH of the resulting regenerated liquor is adjusted to the desired pH range.

Abstract: A dual alkali process and an apparatus for the removal of sulfur oxides from a gas stream containing such sulfur oxides, is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously fermenting a moist particulate feed and distilling the fermentation product is disclosed in which a pressure-locked auger forces a moist particulate feed from a hopper into a fermentation tank, liquor is removed from the tank and solids are separated therefrom to produce a beer which is distilled in a distillation column. A combustion engine powers the auger and the means for separating solids, and the engine exhaust surrounds an inlet section of said auger to help heat the pressurized feed therein to produce fermentable sugar within the auger, and the auger includes a section passing to the tank in heat exchange relation to the distillation column to provide heat for distillation. The column is a multistage column angled to face the sun and has an upper glass plate to allow solar radiation to enter and penetrate between the foraminous plates of the column.