Gas treating method and apparatus

An apparatus for treating a contaminated gas comprising:

• a vessel comprising a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the vessel comprises a generally cylindrical high-pressure vessel operable to operate at a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure;
• a manifold for introducing the contaminated gas into the vessel, wherein the manifold introduces the gas into the vessel below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;
• at least one perforated plate comprising openings and operable to prevent channeling of the gas in the vessel and positioned above the manifold and beneath the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;
• a liquid level sensor;
• one or more downcomers for maintaining the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid in the vessel, wherein the one or more downcomers deliver overflow contaminant-absorbing liquid to a sump within the vessel;
• and
• one or more spray nozzles contained within the vessel and positioned above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, operable to introduce contaminant-absorbing liquid counter-current to the flow of contaminated gas in the vessel.