NOVELTY - The apparatus comprises first and second packed beds (113), a first water inlet for introducing water to the apparatus and a syngas outlet for withdrawing a syngas product from the apparatus, a first water outlet for withdrawing water from the apparatus and a second water inlet (122) for introducing water to the apparatus, and a syngas inlet for introducing a syngas to the apparatus and a second water outlet for withdrawing water from the apparatus. The first bed is located closer to a first end (130) of the apparatus than the second bed.    USE - The apparatus is useful for partially saturating and purifying syngas in the production and treatment of syngas (all claimed) to produce hydrogen, where the apparatus includes a scrubbing apparatus or a scrubber.    ADVANTAGE - The apparatus economically removes ash and/or byproducts from the syngas with less water consumption.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The apparatus comprises first and second packed beds (113), a first water inlet for introducing water to the apparatus and a syngas outlet for withdrawing a syngas product from the apparatus, a first water outlet for withdrawing water from the apparatus and a second water inlet (122) for introducing water to the apparatus, and a syngas inlet for introducing a syngas to the apparatus and a second water outlet for withdrawing water from the apparatus. The first bed is located closer to a first end (130) of the apparatus than the second bed. The first water inlet and the syngas outlet are located at the first end or between the first end and the first bed. The first water outlet and the second water inlet are located between the first bed and the second bed. The syngas inlet and the second water outlet are located at a second end of the apparatus or between the second bed and the second end. The first bed comprises a random packing material suitable to facilitate partial saturation of the syngas with water, and the second bed comprises a structured packing material suitable to facilitate extraction of byproducts from the syngas to produce the syngas product. A flow of water and syngas through the apparatus is counter-current. A temperature of the syngas at the syngas outlet is greater than a temperature of the syngas at the syngas inlet. The apparatus has a vertical orientation. The first end is placed at a top of the apparatus, and the second end is placed at a bottom of the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a top section (110), a bottom section (120), a hydrocarbon outlet for withdrawing light hydrocarbons from the apparatus located between the second catalyst bed and the second end, and a recycle line for recycling a portion of the water withdrawn at the first water outlet to the first water inlet. The first packed bed is located in the top section, and the second packed bed is located in the bottom section. The top and bottom sections are separated by a full or partial physical divider such as a chimney pan. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a process for partially saturating and purifying syngas; and    (2) a process for the production and treatment of syngas.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view of an apparatus for partially saturating and purifying syngas.    Top section (110)    Beds (113)    Bottom section (120)    Second water inlet (122)    First end. (130)