A detailed mathematical model, comprehensive of the main chemical and physical processes, is proposed for the open-core downdraft gasification of wood pellets, which permits a dual air entry: from the top section (primary air) and at a certain height of the packed bed (secondary air). A transition is simulated from a single, top-stabilized front (zero percentage of secondary air), to a double front stabilization (percentages of secondary air up to 60-70%) and finally to a single, forced center-stabilized front at the position of secondary air injection. For sufficiently high percentages of secondary air, following the complete or partial separation between the zone of primary wood degradation and a high-temperature, oxygen-rich zone and higher temperatures along the char bed, tar and char conversion is highly enhanced. Good agreement is obtained between model predictions and measurements for a pilot-scale plant. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.