Patent ID: 7263859

Claim:
A process for cooling a gas stream in an apparatus comprising: a) providing at least one elongated vessel having a orientation, substantially vertical, wherein said elongated vessel comprises: (i) a first end and a second end; (ii) a first compartment for indirect heat exchange between a gas stream and at least one cooling stream to produce a cooled gas stream; (iii) a second compartment for direct contact between said cooled gas stream and a liquid stream to produce a further cooled gas stream; and (iv) a barrier which separates said first and second compartments, and when in use, allows for the upward passage of gas, but prevents the downward passage of liquid; b) introducing the gas stream into said first compartment proximate to said first end, removing said further cooled gas stream from said second compartment proximate to said second end; c) introducing at least one cooling stream into said first compartment removing said warmed at least one cooling stream from said first compartment; and d) introducing a liquid stream into said second compartment proximate to said second end, and removing said warmed liquid stream from said second compartment proximate to said barrier.