A review with 20 refs. covering the use of the species resolved thermal alkali desorption (SR-TAD) technique at constant and programmed temperatures for studying the effect of surface geometry and other factors on the potassium promoter stability via desorption of K atoms and ions from a model SiO2/Si(110) surface and from 360-m(2)/g SiO2 and other oxide supports (descending K promoter stability: SiO2 > ZrO2 > Al2O3 > MgO), stability of K on a styrene-synthesis Fe oxide catalyst, desorption of Cs from model Cs/C and Cs-Ru/C systems, desorption energies of alkali metals, and poisoning of an ammonia synthesis catalyst with S (from SO2, H2SO4). The SR-TAD technique allows to identify surface phases, stability and surface distribution of promoters, and the extent of electronic promotion.