Process for the production of an intermediate Btu gas

An intermediate Btu gas is produced by reacting steam with a carbonaceous feed material in the presence of a carbon-alkali metal catalyst and substantially equilibrium quantities of added hydrogen and carbon monoxide at a temperature between about 1000 DEG F. and about 1500 DEG F. and a pressure in excess of about 100 psia to produce an effluent or raw product gas consisting essentially of equilibrium quantities, at reaction temperature and pressure, of methane, steam, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen; recovering at least a portion of the effluent or raw product gas from the gasifier as an intermediate Btu product gas; contacting a carbon-containing material with steam in a steam reforming zone under conditions such that at least a portion of the carbon-containing material reacts with the steam to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen; and passing the effluent from the reforming zone into the gasifier, thereby supplying the added hydrogen and carbon monoxide required in the gasifier.