Method and apparatus for the treatment of gases containing soluble compounds

In an apparatus for first treating a gas stream with a liquid and thereafter separating the gas from the liquid, said apparatus comprising a cylindrical vertically disposed column;

• a liquid collecting reservoir disposed at the lower end portion of said column having a liquid outlet means in fluid communication therewith;
• a gas inlet means disposed in said column above said reservoir and in fluid communication therewith, for introducing a gas stream and imparting a cyclonic and upward flow to said gas stream;
• a treatment section disposed in said column for contacting said gas and said liquid and having liquid dispersing means at the upper end portion of said treatment section for dispersing liquid counter-currently to the upward flow of said cyclonic gas stream, to thereby cause vesicles to form;
• a gas-liquid separating section within said column above said treatment section in fluid communication therewith, ;
• means at the top end portion of said separating section for physically preventing the ascension of liquid beyond said separation section, and a gas outlet section disposed in said column above said separating section and in gaseous communication therewith, having a gas outlet means for discharging gas therefrom, the improvement wherein said separating section consists of an empty section of a cylindrical column that is devoid of any internal structure, wherein the cyclonic flow of the gas stream is uninterrupted and causes the vesicles to impinge, adhere and coalesce on the inner wall of the column to form a continuous sheet or film of liquid downwardly flowing on said inner wall to said liquid collection reservoir.