Abstract Chemical absorption was employed for the harmless treatment of sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) in the simulated residual fumigant. SO2F2 was absorbed by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in a packed column. Effects of spray density, gas flow rate, concentration of NaOH solution, and inlet SO2F2 volume concentration on SO2F2 removal efficiency were investigated at room temperature. It was found that SO2F2 could be removed completely when inlet SO2F2 volume concentration, spray density, gas flow rate, and NaOH concentration were 0.50%, 12 m3/(m2 · h), 0.12 m3/h, and 0.68 mol/L, respectively. According to the two-film theory, a mathematical model based on Onda correlations was developed to describe the removal efficiency of SO2F2. Comparison between the experimental data and the calculated data proved that the predictability of the proposed model was within the maximum deviation of 8.0%. Aqueous NaOH solution after absorption was analyzed. It was found that the SO2F2 was fixed and converted to NaF, NaSO3F,...