Process and device for cooling a gas by direct heat exchange with a cooling liquid

For cooling a gas by direct heat exchange with a cooling liquid, the gas to be cooled is introduced into the lower region of a direct contact cooler. A first stream of cooling liquid is fed into the direct contact cooler above the point of introduction of the gas. Cooled gas is removed above the point of introduction of the gas from the direct contact cooler. A liquid backflow is drawn off from the lower region of the direct contact cooler. At least at times, a second stream of cooling liquid with a temperature that is lower than that of the backflow is fed into the liquid backflow and combined with the latter to form a return flow.