gas inlet extends above the liquid level 16 at the center of the absorber the top of the well 44 has a flared outlet 46 to cover the gas inlet the flared outlet 46 is provided to protect the annular outlet from falling slurry the outlet 44 and the flared section 46 are located above the liquid level 16 and below the transition between the slurry tank and the absorption section of the absorber tower 12 the contraction of the absorber help to redirect some of the gas towards the center of the absorber the 360 degree outlet allows the distribution of gas to be more even the slurry falling off the inlet cover flared section 46 forms a continuous thin humidifying film and performs the same function as a conventional tower awning 18 the bottom of the well 44 has slots 48 to allow the slurry collected in the well to mix with the rest of the slurry tank the entering flue gas is forced towards the walls of the tank and tends to hug the walls from the foregoing it will be seen that both embodiments of the described flue gas distribution means provide the following advantages 1 the gas velocity of the gas at the inlet can be controlled without increase in the absorber height 2 control the gas velocity through the inlet helps controlling the inlet pressure drop 3 material for the other circumference inlet.