The application of cylindrical wetted-wall discharge for wastewater treatment has been impeded by the lack of mathematical models. In this paper, a mathematical model for sulfite oxidation in seawater flue gas desulfurization by cylindrical wetted-wall corona-streamer discharge is presented. The model is expressed in terms of parameters including geometrical parameters of the reactor, physical properties of the effluent, reaction kinetic parameters and electrical parameters. Comparison of model results with experimental results at different operation factors indicates the agreement between the model and experiment results. In addition, the sulfite conversion model with reflux can be expanded from the conversion model without reflux. By selecting an appropriate reflux ratio, the desired sulfite conversion in a single reactor can be obtained. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.