Method of absorbing a gas compound

An absorber is provided which utilizes a solvent froth to absorb a selected component, such as CO2 for example, from a flowing gas stream, such as flue gas from a fossil fuel power plant, for example. In one embodiment, a flooded tube gas absorber utilizes a bulkhead plate extending across a reaction chamber. The plate carries a plurality of vertical absorption tubes, each carrying a plurality of spaced apart screens. The incoming gas stream flows downwardly and at equal velocities through the tubes. Solvent is injected downwardly into the tubes. The screen array forms a froth and rapidly and repeatedly bursts the froth bubbles, forming a rapidly changing absorption surface. A second embodiment uses full diameter screens without a bulkhead plate. An option is to use ridge shaped screens to achieve solvent pulsing, increasing efficiency. Both vertical and horizontal reaction chambers are disclosed.