In the light of phenol-containing wastewater generated in Lurgi coal gasification,the water quality characteristics are analyzed and the research status,development trend and engineering application of the concerning treatment technologies in China and in the world are summarized.The advantages and disadvantages of various treatment technologies and the existing problems in their application are focused.It is also prospected that recycling solvent from extraction residue phase via vacuum steam stripping will be the right direction to perform energy conversation research for coal gasification wastewater treatment technology.