A two-stage technology integrated with biomass catalytic pyrolysis and gasification processes was utilized to produce syngas (H-2 + CO). In the presence of different nickel based catalysts, effects of pyrolysis temperature and gasification temperature on gas production were investigated. Experimental results showed that more syngas and char of high quality could be obtained at a temperature of 750 degrees C in the stage of pyrolysis, and in the stage of gasification, pyrolysis char (produced at 750 degrees C) reacted with steam and the maximum yield of syngas was obtained at 850 degrees C. Syngas yield in this study was greatly increased compared with previous studies, up to 3.29 N m(3)/kg biomass. The pyrolysis process could be well explained by Arrhenius kinetic first-order rate equation. XRD analyses suggested that formation of Mg0.4Ni0.6O and increase of Ni-0 crystallite size were two main reasons for the deactivation of nickel based catalysts at higher temperature. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.