The United States Department of Energy recognizes the deficiencies in available gasifiers and associated process systems and the dilemma facing industry in developing improved gasification systems for vague markets. Thus, they sponsored development of second- and third-generation processes, at least through the pilot plant and process development unit (PDU) stages, in the Surface Coal Gasification Pilot Plant/PDU Program. Technology crosscut was addressed in METC's first topical report on Surface Coal Gasification (DOE/METC/SP-110, October 1980). The information and data presented in that first report are, for the most part, still valid. For this second report a slightly modified approach is taken with additional information provided. An updated comparison of four coal gasification pilot plants/PDU's summarizes the following common problems associated with generic unit operation areas: coal preparation, gasifier, gas cleanup, instrumentation, and materials. Some of the problems are considered in detail.