Abstract: Crude gas, such as cracking gas, is subjected after quenching to a two stage cooling system wherein water is employed in the first stage as both a direct contact coolant and scrubbing agent to remove condensed out hydrocarbons and solids from the gas. The scrubbing liquid in the first stage is subjected to a rough decanting step to separate hydrocarbons from water which is to be recycled; however, no indirect heat exchangers are used for recycle water, thereby avoiding clogging. The gas recovered from the first cooling stage is at about the water dew point of the gas, and is then cooled in a second stage in direct contact with refrigerated water, but because the fouling substances of the gas are removed in the first stage, there is no clogging problem when the recycle water is cooled in an indirect heat exchanger with an external refrigerant.