The development of a mathematical model of a fixed-bed gasifier is described. The model was used for studies of the stationary performance of the gasifier and the results were compared to experimental results. The model was also used in an effort to identify an efficient control strategy for the operation during load changes. The resulting strategy was very simple and has been implemented in an unmanned, automatically controlled, power plant that was operated for over 3000 h. The mathematical model was based on conservation of mass and energy in a simple one-dimensional flow, chemical equilibrium in the gas phase, and a Langmuir-Hinshelwood correlation describing the reaction kinetics in the char. The results of the thermo-gravimetric analysis experiments required to determine the reactivity for char of beech as a function of temperature, gas composition and conversion ratio of the char are presented. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.