A test program was carried out in which emissions from the Westinghouse pilot scale coal gasifier were characterized. The emissions of primary concern in this study were alkali species, hydrocarbons and particulate matter. The purpose for characterizing these contaminants was to anticipate their effect on downstream process equipment and the potential for environmental impact. The alkali sampling/analysis effort showed that although sodium and potassium tend to complex within the ash matrix during gasification at the PDU, a certain volatile alkali concentration escapes. Alkali escaping collection or deposition in the gasifier and secondary cyclone is detected at a level in the range of 0.3 to 16 ppM. Since this concentration greatly exceeds the current turbine inlet tolerance of 50 ppB combined alkali, consideration should be given to hot gas cleaning of the product gas streams using getter sorbent materials. Conclusions based on the data available from the hydrocarbon analysis are: (1) the concentrations of hydrocarbon released in the effluent gas stream of the Westinghouse PDU were low; (2) the hydrocarbons identified did not include known carcinogens; (3) the plugging of process lines due to heavy hydrocarbon (or tar) condensation did not appear to be a problem for the PDU. Conclusion (3) does not result directly from our study, but is based on observations of PDU process equipments after various tests. Because of the specific design of the Westinghouse gasifier, where coal is fed to the bottom of the gasifier, the tars evolved during coal pyrolysis are cracked as they travel through the hot gasifier bed, and the amount of heavy hydrocarbon released in the effluent stream is greatly reduced. 87 figures, 38 tables.