Abstract: The raw gas produced by gasification is cooled to temperatures from 150.degree. to 400.degree. C. and has an NH.sub.3 content of at least 0.1% by volume as it is fed to a spray drying zone. Recycle water is fed to and is entirely evaporated in the spray drying zone. The raw gas from the spray drying zone contains water vapor and is passed through a filter, in which part of the solids and of the halogen compounds are collected in a dry state. The raw gas is subsequently passed through a saturation zone, in which the raw gas is directly contacted with sprayed water and is saturated with water vapor and cooled to temperatures of 50.degree. to 90.degree. C. Water which contains salt and solids and has a pH value of 7.5 to 9.5 is withdrawn from the saturation zone and is at least partly fed as recycle water to the spray drying zone. The raw gas from the saturation zone is aftertreated for a removal of liquid droplets which contains dust and salt.