A rate-based model of a counter-current reactive absorption/desorption process has been developed for the absorption of SO2 into NaHCO3/Na2CO3 in a packed column. The model adopts the film theory, includes diffusion and reaction processes, and assumes that thermodynamic equilibrium among the reacting species exists in the bulk liquid. Model predictions were compared to experimental data from literature. For the calculation of the absorption rate Of SO2 into NaHCO3/NaCO3 solutions and concomitant CO2-desorption, it is important to take into account all reversible reactions simultaneously. It is clear that the approximate analytical based model cannot be expected to predict the absorption rates under practical conditions because of the complicated nature of the reactive absorption processes. The rigorous numerical approach described here only requires definition of the individual reactions in the system, and subsequent solution is independent of specific assumptions made, or operational variables like pH or compound concentrations. As an example of the flexibility of this approach, additional calculations were conducted for SO2 absorption in a phosphate-based buffer system. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.