HyperCoal is a clean coal with ash content < 0.05 wt%. HyperCoal was prepared from a bituminous coal by solvent extraction method with an extraction yield of 66.7%. Effect of K(2)CO(3) loading and temperature on steam gasification rate of HyperCoal and parent raw coal was investigated. Experiments were carried out at 775 and 700 degrees C for both HyperCoal and coal with 0-25% catalyst loading. Gasification rates increased with increased catalyst loading and reached a value above which rates did not change with catalyst loading. The catalyst loadings were 6% for HyperCoal and 20% for coal. The difference is most likely due to the difference in ash content of HypeFCoal and coal and not due to the effect of H(2) inhibition on the rate. In the presence of catalyst effect of temperature was only on gasification rate and total gas yield and gas composition were unaffected. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.