An apparatus and method for recovering a clean liquid condensate from a synthesis
gas at elevated temperatures and pressures. The apparatus includes at least one
heat exchanger for reducing the temperature of the synthesis gas down to below
200 F. (93 C.) so as to form a syngas condensate at elevated pressure.
The syngas condensate is flashed so that it separates into a liquid phase condensate
and a gas phase. The liquid phase condensate comprises water, dissolved ammonia
and particulates. The gas phase contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, various
sulfur containing compounds and trace amounts of other compounds that may have
been dissolved in the syngas condensate. The gas phase is removed from the flash
tank and sent to a sour gas treatment unit and/or flare. The liquid phase condensate
is then filtered so as to remove larger sized particulates. Clean liquid condensate
is reused in the gasification process.