The characteristics of catalytic ignition and reaction of single and multiple fuels including simulated gasified biomass are investigated both experimentally and numerically. A two-dimensional channel flow code with the multi-step gas phase and surface reaction mechanisms is used to clarify the detailed interaction mechanism of the main gasified biomass species on the surface. The light-off characteristics for single and multiple fuels with varying concentrations and global residence times are identified. For gasified biomass, the preheat temperature needed for light-off is found to be determined by carbon monoxide, which has the largest adsorption probability on platinum surface. The observed two-step rising of the reactor outlet temperature also provides evidence for the promotion of methane light-off by hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The operational domain for catalytic combustion of gasified biomass in a platinum monolith honeycomb reactor is bounded by curves of carbon monoxide concentration for ignition, residence time and methane concentration for conversion ratio, and the sinter temperature of the catalyst. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.