An optical micro-reactor (50nL), an autoclave (120mL), and a flow reactor (11.3ml.) were used to study the catalytic hydrothermal gasification of cellulose and glucose. In the micro-reactor experiments, Ni catalyst had a low gasification rate, but 96 wt% rate (35 mo1% H-2) was achieved in the autoclave when Ni/silica-alumina and cellulose were mixed well during slow heating to 350 degrees C (30 min). It was found from the micro-reactor that cellulose completely dissolved in water at 318 degrees C upon fast heating, and that Pt was the most active catalyst for glucose reactions. Gasification of glucose with Pt/gamma-alumina catalyst was examined in flow experiments, where it was found that 67 wt% gasification rate (with up to 44 mol% H-2) could be obtained at 360 degrees C and 30 MPa. (C) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.