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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 eleva

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.

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1. An apparatus for treating synthesis gas to recover clean liquid condensate for use in a gasification unit, the apparatus comprising:a heat exchanger for receiving a synthesis gas having elevated temperature and pressure and cooling the synthesis gas to form a syngas condensate; a flash tank for r

1. An apparatus for treating synthesis gas to recover clean liquid condensate for use in a gasification unit, the apparatus comprising:a heat exchanger for receiving a synthesis gas having elevated temperature and pressure and cooling the synthesis gas to form a syngas condensate; a flash tank for receiving the syngas condensate, the flash tank having a reduced pressure so that the syngas condensate separates into a liquid phase condensate and a gas phase, the liquid phase condensate comprising dissolved ammonia; and a separator for receiving the liquid phase condensate, the separator having a filtering media for reducing the number of particulates that may be present in the liquid phase condensate to form a clean liquid condensate, wherein the separator reduces the number of particulates by removing particulates having an average particle diameter greater than about 15 microns. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source of fresh backup water connected to the flash tank.3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reduced pressure in the flash tank is less than about 10 barg.4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a gas treatment unit in fluid communication with the upper portion of the flash tank.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the separator removes particulates having an average particle diameter of greater than about 5 microns.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the separator is a filter having an average pore size of less than about 20 microns.7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a conduit connected to the separator for directing the clean liquid condensate to a gasification unit, provided that the conduit does not direct the clean liquid phase condensate to a gasification unit for use in cooling or scrubbing the hot raw synthesis gas.8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump connected to the separator, the pump having a seal that requires periodic flushing with fresh water to prevent damage to the pump.9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an instrument connected to the separator, the instrument requiring periodic purging to insure reliable operation.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the instrument comprises a liquids level detector and/or liquids flow detector.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas phase condensate comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds or mixtures thereof.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the syngas condensate is below about 200° F.13. A method for treating a synthesis gas to recover a clean liquid condensate for use in a gasification unit, the method comprising the steps of:cooling a synthesis gas having elevated temperature and pressure to form a syngas condensate; flashing the syngas condensate to form a gas phase condensate and a liquid phase condensate, the liquid phase condensate comprising dissolved ammonia; and removing from the liquid phase condensate particulates having an average particle diameter of greater than about 15 microns to form a clean liquid condensate. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the temperature of the synthesis gas is above about 380° F.15. The method of claim 13, wherein the temperature of the syngas condensate is below about 200° F.16. The method of claim 13, wherein the pressure of the synthesis gas is above about 25 barg.17. The method of claim 13, wherein the pressure of the liquid phase condensate and gas phase condensate in the flash tank is less than about 10 barg.18. The method of claim 13, wherein the gas phase condensate comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds or mixtures thereof.19. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of flushing a pump seal with the clean liquid condensate.20. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of purging an instrument with the clean liquid condensate.21. The method of claim 20, wherein the instrument comprises a liquids level detector, liquids flow detector, or a combination thereof.22. A method for inhibiting acid-induced corrosion in a gasification unit, the method comprising the steps of:cooling a synthesis gas having elevated temperature and pressure to form a syngas condensate; flashing the syngas condensate to form a gas phase condensate and a liquid phase condensate, the liquid phase condensate comprising dissolved ammonia; removing from the liquid phase condensate particulates having an average particle diameter of greater than about 15 microns to form a clean liquid condensate; and recycling the clean liquid condensate to the gasification unit, provided that the clean liquid condensate is not used to cool or scrub the hot raw synthesis gas. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the recycled clean liquid condensate is used to flush a pump seal.24. The method of claim 22, wherein the recycled clean liquid condensate is used to purge an instrument.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the instrument comprises a liquids level detector, liquids flow detector, or a combination thereof.26. The method of claim 22, wherein the amount of ammonia dissolved in the liquid condensate is sufficient to maintain the pH of the condensate above about 7.