A complex absorbent containing NaClO (M) and NaClO2 was used to investigate simultaneous removal of SO2 and NO from flue gas. The various influencing factors, such as molar ratio of M to NaClO2, solution pH, reaction temperature, SO2 concentration and NO concentration on removal efficiencies of SO2 and NO were studied experimentally, and the optimal conditions were established, in which molar ratio of M to NaClO2 was 4.0, solution pH was 5.5, reaction temperature was 50 degrees C. Under the optimal conditions, the removal efficiencies of SO2 and NO reached 100% and 85%, respectively. In addition, the reaction mechanism of simultaneous desulfurization and denitration using complex absorbent was proposed. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.