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Flue gas desulfurization systems (FGD) or scrubbers are devices capable of sulfur removal efficiencies between 50% to 98%. Typically the highest removal is achieved by wet scrubbers and the lowest by dry scrubbers.

Some disadvantages of wet scrubbers include corrosion, the need for entrainment separation or mist removal to obtain high efficiencies and the need for treatment or reuse of spent liquid.

The reaction enables the SO2 to be removed before it's released into the atmosphere. Duke Energy's newer scrubbers are typically designed to remove 95% or more of the SO2 from the exhaust gas.

Most wet scrubbing systems operate with particulate collection efficiencies over 95 percent. Wet scrubbers can also be used to remove acid gas; however, this section addresses only wet scrubbers for control of particulate matter. There are three energy usage levels for wet scrubbers.

The greatest disadvantage to these scrubbers is their inability to remove all pollutants. Plus, they do not remove as many acids from gases as wet scrubbers. While sufficient, dry scrubbers do not perform as well as wet scrubbers for air pollution control.

A scrubber sprays seawater or fresh water mixed with a caustic chemical into the exhaust gas stream in several stages. The pollutant – mainly sulphur dioxide – reacts with the alkaline water, forming sulphuric acid. In the case of an open-loop system, the resulting wash water is discharged back into the sea.

Air scrubbers can eliminate up to 99.99% of 0.3-micron-sized particles.

Some disadvantages of wet scrubbers include corrosion, the need for entrainment separation or mist removal to obtain high efficiencies and the need for treatment or reuse of spent liquid.