Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of raw syngas comprising the steps of (a) contacting the raw syngas with water to remove soot, resulting in a soot-rich waste water and a soot-lean syngas; (b) cooling the soot-lean syngas resulting from step (a) to a temperature in the range of from (20) to (50)° C.; and (c) contacting the cooled soot-lean syngas resulting from step (b) with water to remove HCN and NH3 resulting in clean syngas and HCN/NH3-rich waste water, wherein: (i) in step (a) the raw syngas is cooled below its dew point by its contact with water; (ii) the HCN/NH3-rich waste water resulting from step (c) is passed through at least one stripping column resulting in a clean water stream and a waste stream; and (iii) at least 50% (v/v) part of the clean water stream is recycled to step (c).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for purifying raw syngas which comprises a vertically oriented vessel comprising (a) a bottom section comprising an inlet for the raw syngas, an outlet for contaminants-rich water located below the inlet for raw syngas, a bed of a packing material located above the inlet for raw syngas and at least one inlet for water located above the bed of packing material and below the middle section; (b) a middle section located directly above the bottom section and fluidly connected with such bottom section comprising a number of separation trays corresponding with a number of theoretical stages in the range of from 8 to 20 and at least one inlet for water located above the separation trays; and (c) a top section located directly above the middle section and fluidly connected with such middle section comprising de-entrainment means, at least one inlet for water located above the de-entrainment means and an outlet for the purified syngas located above the inlet for water.