A device (1) for separating sulphur dioxide from a gas (4) by means of an absorption liquid has an inlet (2) for gas (4) containing sulphur dioxide, an outlet (18) for gas (16), from which sulphur dioxide has been separated, and as essentially horizontal apertured plate (8), which is arranged to allow passage from below of sulphur dioxide containing gas (4) and to carry, on its upper side (12), a flowing layer (14) of the absorption liquid. An outlet box (20) beside the apertured plate (8) is arranged to be passed by liquid, which is distributed in the gas (4) coming from the inlet (2). A first pumping means is arranged to feed a coolant flow to the outlet box (20) and a second pumping means is arranged to feed an absorption liquid flow, which is essentially independent of the coolant flow, to the apertured plate (8) to form the flowing layer (14). In a method of separating sulphur dioxide, the above-described device (1) can be used.