The hydrothermal gasification of wet biomass is a promising process to use biomass residues of high water content to produce burnable gases. Here "green" biomass can be converted without prior drying. Recently important improvements are accomplished, but still challenges in view of the technical application exists. One of the most important challenges is the handling of salts as natural ingredients of biomass. In this study, salts forming a second salt-rich aqueous phase (hydrothermal brine) are used to catch other salts, to avoid plugging of the reactor by formation of solids. The sodium salts studied, were successfully captured by the hydrothermal brine, which also influences the conversion of glucose as model compound for biomass. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.