Detailed review of existing models resulted in the development of a new mathematical model to study biomass gasification in a circulating fluidized bed. Hydrodynamics as well as chemical reaction kinetics were considered to predict the overall performance of a biomass gasification process. The fluidized bed was divided into two distinct sections: a) a dense region at the bottom of the bed where biomass undergoes mainly heterogeneous reactions and b) a dilute region at the top where most of homogeneous reactions occur in gas phase. Each section was divided into a number of small cells, over which mass and energy balances were applied. A number of homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions were considered in the model. Mass transfer resistance was considered negligible since the reactions were under kinetic control due to good gas-solid mixing. The model is capable of predicting the bed temperature distribution along the gasifier, the concentration and distribution of each species in the vertical direction of the bed, the composition and heating value of produced gas, the gasification efficiency, the overall carbon conversion and the produced gas production rate. The modeling and simulation results were in good agreement with published data. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.