Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air pollution control devices that can be used to remove some particulates andor gases from industrial exhaust streams. The first air scrubber was designed to remove carbon dioxide from the air of an early submarine, the Ictinus I, a role which they continue to be used for to this day. Traditionally, the term "scrubber" has referred to pollution control devices that use liquid to wash unwanted pollutants from a gas stream.