Patent ID: 8366795

Claim:
A particulate composition having a particle distribution size suitable for gasification in a fluidized bed zone, the particulate composition comprising an intimate mixture of (a) a biomass char leachate comprising one or more soluble alkali metal compounds, and (b) a non-biomass carbonaceous feedstock, wherein: (i) the biomass char leachate comprises an aqueous extract of a biomass char; (ii) the particulate composition comprises a gasification catalyst which, in the presence of steam and under suitable temperature and pressure, exhibits gasification activity whereby a plurality of gases comprising methane and one or more gases selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other higher hydrocarbons are formed; (iii) the gasification catalyst comprises a source of at least one alkali metal and is present in an amount sufficient to provide, in the particulate composition, a ratio of alkali metal atoms to carbon atoms ranging from 0.01 to about 0.10; and (iv) the gasification catalyst comprises the one or more soluble alkali metal compounds from the biomass char leachate.