Patent ID: 8292988

Claim:
A process for operating a washing column for implementing a physical gas washing, said process comprising: sending gas from the bottom of the washing column to the top of the washing column, and sending washing agent from the top of the washing column to the bottom of the washing column, wherein at least two washing sections are arranged on top of one another in the washing column, the upper washing section of said at least two washing sections is bounded at the bottom by a riser base, from which a portion of the washing agent that is charged in the upper washing section is introduced into the lower washing section of said at least two washing sections as washing agent, and another portion of the washing agent is removed from the washing column via a side drain, wherein the quantity of washing agent that is directed from said upper washing section into said lower washing section is set indirectly via the quantity of washing agent that is sent from the washing column via the side drain, and wherein said gas is synthesis gas and carbon dioxide and sulfur components are removed from said synthesis gas by said process, and cryogenic methanol is used as said washing agent.