Abstract: A carbonaceous material containing vanadium is reacted with an oxidizing gas in a molten salt pool containing an alkali metal carbonate. Vanadium values present in the carbonaceous material are converted to water-soluble vanadium compounds which are recovered from the melt and reacted with a strong acid to precipitate the vanadium values as insoluble vanadates. The vanadates are recovered as product or optionally further converted to vanadium pentoxide.

Abstract: A process for the production of a synthesis gas, capable of being upgraded to a high BTU pipeline gas, by the partial oxidation and substantially complete gasification of a carbonaceous material under CO-promoting conditions wherein the carbonaceous material, oxygen, and recycled carbon dioxide from the process are introduced into a molten salt containing an alkali metal carbonate and a minor portion of an alkali metal sulfide, the system being operated at a selected temperature and pressure between 1400.degree. and 2000.degree. F and between 1 and 100 atmospheres. The molar ratio of carbon dioxide to oxygen employed is controlled at from about 0.6:1 to about 1.2:1 to control the CO production and also to maintain the molten salt at a desired operating temperature. Sulfur and ash introduced with the fuel are retained in the molten salt.