A process and device is provided for the generation and purification of a crude gas for synthesis gas generation from a solid carbon-containing fuel by a coal gasification reaction. The fuel is mixed with a quenching medium directly after generation to dissipate the high internal energy and is then brought into contact with a solid basic alkaline earth metal compound or a sorbent consisting of a transition metal-containing compound just in the mixing chamber or downstream of the mixing chamber such that the acidic or basic or sulfur-containing or halogen-containing constituents contained in the crude gas and originating from the gasification reaction are absorbed. A solids-separating device downstream of the sorbent feed device removes the solid or solidified constituents from the system. The basic and transition metal-containing sorbent can be regenerated and returned to the process either in a mixture or after separation from the ash and slag constituents such that an energy-intensive cooling of the crude gas is not required for its purification and the synthesis gas thus purified can be used in a subsequent process without any further heating.