Flue gas scrubbing apparatus

A spray tower for removing gases and particulate matter in flue gases, the spray tower comprising:

• a tower having a lower end and an upper end;
• a tank located at the lower end of the tower;
• an inlet located above the tank through which flue gases are introduced into the tower;
• an enclosure disposed adjacent the inlet and within the tower, the tower circumscribing the enclosure so as to form a circumferential gap therebetween, the enclosure having an upper end joined to the tower and a lower end defining a cylindrical opening for the flue gases introduced into the tower through the inlet, the cylindrical opening being disposed below the inlet and above the tank;
• a first plurality of sprayers disposed within the enclosure at an elevation not greater than the inlet of the tower, the first plurality of sprayers being adapted to spray a fluid so as to remove gases and particulate matter from the flue gases within the enclosure, the fluid thereafter accumulating in the tank;
• a second plurality of sprayers disposed in the tower above the first plurality of sprayers, the second plurality of sprayers being adapted to spray a fluid so as to further remove gases and particulate matter from the flue gases, the fluid thereafter accumulating in the tank;
• means for pumping fluids accumulated in the tank to the first and second plurality of sprayers;
• and
• an outlet disposed at the upper end of the tower through which gases escape the tower.

A spray tower for removing gases and particulate matter in flue gases, the spray tower comprising:

• a tower having a lower end and an upper end;
• a tank located at the lower end of the tower;
• an inlet located above the tank through which flue gases are introduced into the tower;
• an enclosure disposed adjacent the inlet and within the tower, the tower circumscribing the enclosure so as to form a circumferential gap therebetween, the enclosure having an upper end joined to the tower and a lower end defining an opening for the flue gases introduced into the tower through the inlet, the opening being disposed below the inlet and above the tank;
• a plurality of sprayers disposed in proximity to the enclosure at an elevation of not greater than the inlet to the tower, the plurality of sprayers being adapted to spray a fluid so as to remove gases and particulate matter from the flue gases within the enclosure, the fluid thereafter accumulating in the tank;
• means for pumping fluids accumulated in the tank to the plurality of sprayers;
• and
• an outlet disposed at the upper end of the tower through which gases escape the tower.