Carbon gasification reactions form the basis of many important
industrial processes, such as the combustion of coal and the produc-
tion of synthesis gas, fuel gases and activated carbons. They are also
involved in metallurgical processes and in the regeneration of coked
catalysts. Thus, understanding the fundamentals of carbon gasification
is of vital importance for further technological development. Moreover,
the subject is of interdisciplinary nature, involving chemistry, ma-
terials science and chemical engineering. Therefore, it was thought that
an Advanced Study Institute would be fruitful in establishing the state
of the art, in bringing together experts from the various sectors
involved and in identifying areas of required research and industrial
development. Such a meeting was held at Alvor, Portugal, from the 20th
to the 31st May 1985, and the lectures presented the- reof are collected
in this volume. The present volume is organized in seven chapters. The
Intro- duction presents the carbon gasification reactions an their rele-
vance for particular processes and industrial uses. In the second
chapter, the structures of carbon and coal are reviewed, together with
methods of structural, chemical and textural characterization.