The catalyzed hydrogasification of pyrolyzed almond shells was studied with the main objective of obtaining a gas with a,high heating value (synthetic natural gas), as the major component of the gas is CH4 (with small amounts of CO). A kinetic study was also carried out using ideal models. Five experimental series were performed by varying particle size (0.4-2-mm diameter), initial: sample weight (0.45-1 g), gas flow rate (150-300 cm(3) min(-1)), temperature (700-900 degreesC), and-hydrogen partial pressure (0.02-0.1 MPa). The range of particle size used in this work exerted little influence on the CH4 production. The hydrogasification rate was independent of the initial, sample, mass and hydrogen flow rate for values <0.25 g and >250 cm(3) min(-1), respectively. The particle size exerted a slight negative influence on the hydrogasification rate, whereas temperature and hydrogen partial pressure exerted positive effects. The optimum temperature for the process was found to lie in the range 800-850 degreesC, giving a production of gas. of 1.86 Nm(3)/kg of converted char (where Nm(3) indicates m(3) at normal conditions, T = 0 degreesC and P = 1 atm) With a high heating value of 74 170 kJ/kg of converted char. The activation energy and reaction order with respect to hydrogen were found to be 103.1 kJ mol(-1) and 1, respectively.