Abstract: A high efficiency gasification process for converting carbonaceous solids to methane and apparatus for its practice are described. The process includes reacting steam and carbonaceous solids comprising ash in the presence of alkali metal catalyst in a gasification reactor to produce combustible gases and char particles comprising ash and alkali metal catalyst constituents, treating a stream of such char particles in an alkali metal catalyst recovery system to recover the catalyst constituents as alkali metal compounds, and recycling such recovered compounds.

Abstract: A high efficiency gasification process for converting carbonaceous solids to methane and apparatus for its practice are described. The process includes reacting steam and carbonaceous solids comprising ash in the presence of alkali metal catalyst in a gasification reactor to produce combustible gases and char particles comprising ash and alkali metal catalyst constituents, treating a stream of such char particles in an alkali metal catalyst recovery system to recover the catalyst constituents as alkali metal compounds, and recycling such recovered compounds.

Abstract: The specification discloses a desulfurization process for use in a fossel fuel combustion process involving the generation of a flue gas product containing sulfur oxides and halogen compounds wherein an alkali metal compound is contacted with the gas resulting in the removal of sulfur oxides from the gas and formation of a water-soluble residue comprising alkali metal sulfates and alkali metal halides, which residue is collected from the gas before the gas is released to the environment. The process is adapted to recover the alkali metal ions from the collected residue for use in supplying the alkali metal ions that are contacted with the gas and for limiting the presence co-collected halogen ions within the recovered alkali metal ions. The process comprises dissolving the collected residue in water to form an aqueous solution thereof having a pH of less than about 8 so that sulfate ions, halogen ions and alkali metal ions are present in the solution.

Abstract: The specification discloses a spent seed recovery and regeneration process for an MHM power plant employing an alkali metal salt seed material such as potassium salt wherein the spent potassium seed in the form of potassium sulfate is collected from the flue gas and reacted with calcium hydroxide and carbon monoxide in an aqueous solution to cause the formation of calcium sulfate and potassium formate. The pH of the solution is adjusted to supress formation of formic acid and to promote precipitation of any dissolved calcium salts. The solution containing potassium formate is then employed to provide the potassium salt in the form of potassium formate or, optionally, by heating the potassium formate under oxidizing conditions to convert the potassium formate to potassium carbonate.

Abstract: Alkali metal sulfates are converted to a sulfur-free form by dissolving the alkali metal sulfate in water to produce an aqueous solution containing alkali metal ions and sulfate ions at a pH below about 8, and then passing the solution through a weak base, anion exchange resin having bicarbonate ions associated therewith that exchange with the sulfate ions so that the sulfate ions become associated with the resin and the bicarbonate ions become associated with the alkali metal ions in the solution. The resin can be regenerated to the bicarbonate form by treatment with an ammonium hydroxide solution followed by contact with carbon dioxide and the regeneration by-products are commercially useful.

Abstract: A process for converting potassium sulfate to potassium carbonate in which a mixture of potassium sulfate and calcium oxide are reacted at a temperature in the range of between about 700.degree. C. and about 800.degree. C. with a gaseous mixture having a minor amount of hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide in a diluent with the calcium oxide being present in an amount not greater than about 20 percent by weight of the potassium sulfate to produce an aqueous mixture of potassium sulfide, potassium bisulfide, potassium hydroxide and calcium sulfide and a gaseous mixture of steam and hydrogen sulfide. The potassium and calcium salts are quenched to produce an aqueous slurry of soluble potassium salts and insoluble calcium salts and a gaseous mixture of steam and hydrogen sulfide. The insoluble calcium salts are then separated from the aqueous solution of soluble potassium salts.