A process for removing CO 2 and a second acid gas from a gas stream including the steps of: providing a gas stream containing CO 2 in the range of 1 to 30 vol%, and a second acid gas forming a stronger acid than CO 2 to an absorption column, the absorption column having at least separate first and second sections (4,5), the gas stream being provided to the first section of the column; providing an absorbent solvent for CO 2 and the second acid gas to the second section to flow counter current to the gas stream, the solvent passing through the second section and the first section of the column; passing the gas stream through the absorption column preferentially absorbing the second acid gas into the solvent in the first section of the absorption column before passing to the second section of the absorption column where CO 2 is absorbed into the solvent; and recovering gas depleted in CO 2 and the second acid gas from the second section of the column, wherein at least a portion of the solvent is removed from the absorption column prior to the first section, and a liquid flow distributor exists between the second and first sections of the absorption column; characterised in that CO 2 and a second acid gas are removed from the gas stream by reactive chemical absorption; a portion of the solvent removed from the first section of the column is recycled to the top of the first section, and in that the liquid flow distributor: - prevents liquid from flowing directly between the second and first sections of the column while allowing gas to pass through, the solvent being removed from the second section and a stream including a portion of the solvent is diverted to the first section of the column; or - allows liquid to flow directly from the second section to the first section and a portion of the solvent is removed from the column prior to entering the first section of the column. providing a gas stream containing CO 2 in the range of 1 to 30 vol%, and a second acid gas forming a stronger acid than CO 2 to an absorption column, the absorption column having at least separate first and second sections (4,5), the gas stream being provided to the first section of the column; providing an absorbent solvent for CO 2 and the second acid gas to the second section to flow counter current to the gas stream, the solvent passing through the second section and the first section of the column; passing the gas stream through the absorption column preferentially absorbing the second acid gas into the solvent in the first section of the absorption column before passing to the second section of the absorption column where CO 2 is absorbed into the solvent; and recovering gas depleted in CO 2 and the second acid gas from the second section of the column, wherein at least a portion of the solvent is removed from the absorption column prior to the first section, and a liquid flow distributor exists between the second and first sections of the absorption column; characterised in that CO 2 and a second acid gas are removed from the gas stream by reactive chemical absorption; a portion of the solvent removed from the first section of the column is recycled to the top of the first section, and in that the liquid flow distributor: - prevents liquid from flowing directly between the second and first sections of the column while allowing gas to pass through, the solvent being removed from the second section and a stream including a portion of the solvent is diverted to the first section of the column; or - allows liquid to flow directly from the second section to the first section and a portion of the solvent is removed from the column prior to entering the first section of the column. - prevents liquid from flowing directly between the second and first sections of the column while allowing gas to pass through, the solvent being removed from the second section and a stream including a portion of the solvent is diverted to the first section of the column; or - allows liquid to flow directly from the second section to the first section and a portion of the solvent is removed from the column prior to entering the first section of the column.