A new type of multi-plunging jet absorber using gas-liquid two-phase jets was devised. The jets were formed through ejector-type nozzles in a sheet of perforated plate. The effects of structural factors of the perforated plate, the number of nozzles and the nozzle arrangement on the product of liquid-phase mass transfer coefficient and gas-liquid interfacial area, the gas holdup, and the penetration depth of bubbles were investigated experimentally. The mass transfer mechanism of the bubble dispersed phase was considered using a coaxial bi-zonal model. The specific gas-liquid interfacial area and the volumetric liquid phase mass transfer coefficient in this absorber were compared with those of other gas-liquid contacting devices. Empirical equations regarding gas holdup and the bubble penetration depth were obtained. The mass transfer mechanism in the multi-plunging jet absorber could be explained by the coaxial bi-zonal model. The multi-plunging jet absorber was found to enhance performance by increasing the number of nozzles. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.