Wet scrubbers are devices used to remove pollutants from flue gases. They consist of tanks in which flue gases are allowed to mix with liquid. If the pollutant to be removed is soluble in water, water alone can be used as the scrubbing agent. However, most scrubbers are used to remove sulfur dioxide, which is not sufficiently soluble in water. Thus, the liquid used in such cases is one that will chemically react with the sulfur dioxide. A solution of sodium carbonate is such a liquid. When sulfur dioxide reacts with sodium carbonate, it forms sodium sulfite, which can be drawn off at the bottom of the tank.

See Also

Flue-Gas Scrubbing