Method for reducing atmospheric pollution

A method for reducing atmospheric pollution caused by a CO.sub.2 pollutant, said pollutant being contained in an industrial gas being emitted to the atmosphere and, said pollutant being removed through the conversion of CO.sub.2 to calcium carbonate using a calcium salt containing reactant, said method consisting essentially of:

• contacting an initial pollutant-containing gas, prior to the venting thereof to the atmosphere, with an alkali base consisting essentially of ammonia in an aqueous liquor, whereby at least 50% of the CO.sub.2 content thereof reacts with substantially all of said ammonia and transfers to said liquor, thereby producing a CO.sub.2 loaded liquor as well as producing a pollutant-depleted gas;
• venting said pollutant-depleted gas to the atmosphere, said pollutant depleted gas having a CO.sub.2 content of less than half of that contained in said initial pollutant-containing gas,
• reacting said CO.sub.2 loaded liquor with a calcium salt containing reactant selected from the group consisting of phosphate rock, calcium-containing acidulated phosphate rock, calcium nitrate, calcium chloride and gypsum to form calcium carbonate, co-forming a commercially utilizable ammonium salt containing an anion from said calcium salt containing reactant and substantially all of the ammonia from said alkali base;
• and
• recovering said ammonium salt as a final product.

A method for reducing atmospheric pollution caused by a SO.sub.2 pollutant contained in an industrial gas being emitted to the atmosphere, and said pollutant being removed through the conversion of SO.sub.2 into calcium sulfite using a calcium salt containing reactant, said method consisting essentially of:

• contacting an initial pollutant-containing gas, prior to the venting thereof to the atmosphere, with an alkali base consisting essentially of ammonia in an aqueous liquor whereby at least 50% of the SO.sub.2 content thereof reacts with substantially all of said ammonia and transfers to said liquor, thereby producing a SO.sub.2 loaded liquor as well as producing a pollutant-depleted gas;
• venting said pollutant-depleted gas to the atmosphere, said pollutant-depleted gas having a SO.sub.2 content of less than half of that contained in said initial pollutant containing gas,
• reacting said SO.sub.2 loaded liquor with a water soluble calcium salt containing reactant selected from the group consisting of calcium nitrate and calcium chloride to form calcium sulphite, co-forming a commercially utilizable ammonium salt containing an anion from said calcium salt containing reactant and substantially all of the ammonia from said alkali base;
• and
• recovering said ammonium salt as a final product.