Process and apparatus for removing undesirable gases from flue gases

An arrangement for the removal by adsorption of undesirable components such as sulphur dioxide from waste gases, particularly flue gas, comprising:

• an adsorber;
• two perforated walls;
• activated carbon between said walls and traversed by gases to be cleaned;
• inlet means for admitting gases to be cleaned into said adsorber;
• outlet means for discharging gases from said adsorber after traversing said activated carbon;
• connecting line means connecting said outlet means with said inlet means for forming gas circulating means;
• cooling means in said circulating means, circulating blower means in said circulating means said connecting line means comprising means operative only during flow of gas through said activated carbon is substantially reduced during shutdown and low-load operation, the feedback of said gas being independent of the composition of said flue gases, the feedback of said gases cooling the activated carbon to a temperature substantially below the spontaneous combustion temperature of the activated carbon for inhibiting spontaneous ignition of said carbon.