TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The hydromethanation catalyst comprises an alkali metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: In the process, the steam demand is satisfied by the steam stream, steam contained in the feed gas stream, the moisture content of the carbonaceous feedstock and, if present, steam in the first oxygen-rich gas stream. In the process, the steam stream and the feed gas stream comprise heat energy that, in combination, is sufficient to meet the heat demand of the reaction in step (B). In the process, the carbonaceous feedstock is loaded with hydromethanation catalyst prior to being supplied to the hydromethanation reactor. In the process, a char by-product is generated in step (B), which is continuously or periodically withdrawn from the hydromethanation reactor. In the process, at least a portion of the char by-product is treated to recover at least a portion of the alkali metal content, and at least a portion of the recovered alkali metal content is recycled for use as hydromethanation catalyst. In the process, the carbonaceous feedstock is impregnated with hydromethanation catalyst prior to being supplied to the hydromethanation reactor, and the hydromethanation catalyst used to impregnate the second carbonaceous feedstock comprises recycled hydromethanation catalyst and a make-up hydromethanation catalyst. The process is a continuous process in which steps (A-E, J-M and O-Q) are operated in a continuous manner. In the process, the steam stream and the first gas feed stream are combined prior to being supplied to the hydromethanation reactor. In the process, step (F) is present, step (H) is not present, and step (N) is optionally present. In the process, the hydromethanation reactor is operated at 700 degrees F (371 degrees C) to 1500 degrees F (816 degrees C), and a pressure of 250 psig (1825 kPa, absolute) to 800 psig (5617 kPa).In the process, the methane product stream is a pipeline-quality natural gas product. Preferred Components: The methane-enriched raw product stream comprises at least 20 mol.% methane (based on the moles of methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the methane-enriched raw product stream). The methane-enriched raw product stream comprises at least 50 mol.% methane plus carbon dioxide (based on the moles of methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the methane-enriched raw product stream). The char by-product comprises an alkali metal content from the hydromethanation catalyst. The sweetened product stream comprises at least 40 wt.% of the sweetened gas stream, and the recycle gas stream comprises 34 wt.% up to 60 wt.% of the sweetened gas stream. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.