Gasification process

A method for catalytically aiding the gasification of a bituminous coal or petroleum coke feed, which includes (a) mixing with a dry carbonaceous feed an additive compound selected from the group consisting of potassium, calcium, sodium, or magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates, or sulfates, and mixtures thereof; (b) gasifying the coal feed in the resulting mixture in an entrained flow gasifier under gasifying conditions and at a temperature of from about 2000 DEG F. to about 3200 DEG F., thus producing a gas primarily including hydrogen and carbon monoxide; and (c) where the additive compound catalytically aids in producing the hydrogen and carbon monoxide, whereby gasification occurs at moderate temperatures.