Patent ID: 6926870

Claim:
A system for removing sulfur oxides from flue gas, comprises: a wet flue gas desulfurization scrubber having a scrubbing zone for converting sulfur oxides into a scrubbing product; means for supplying a sulfur oxide absorbing liquid reagent to the scrubbing zone; an internal reaction tank, located below the scrubbing zone, for collecting partially reacted liquid regent and scrubbing products from the scrubbing zone, the internal reaction tank having a tank liquid level; a scoop having a scoop outlet, the scoop extending at least partially across and above the tank liquid level and shaped to establish a scoop liquid level of partially reacted liquid reagent and scrubbing products within the scoop during operation; a means for maintaining the scoop liquid level above the tank liquid level comprising a suction pipe connected to one of the scoop and the downcomer, a recycle pipe for discharging into the scoop, and a pump located therebetween; a downcomer having a downcomer inlet and a downcomer outlet for flow therethrough, the downcomer inlet in fluid communication with and connected to the scoop outlet, the downcomer outlet located during operation within the internal reaction tank below the tank liquid level for continuously discharging partially reacted liquid reagent and scrubbing products from the scoop into the internal reaction tank.