In the present work the gasification process of different types of biomass residues (cork residues) generated by industries in Spain has been studied. These sub products are classified as black agglomerates (low and high granulate). Samples of several residues obtained through different phases of the production process were collected, following a subsequent quantification of each of the four types obtained. First the sandpaper dust was tested, varying the air flow from 50 to 400 cm(3) min(-1) and the temperature of the reaction from 650 to 800 degrees C. A preliminary study of a pilot installation of gasification of 50 kWe using these residues was made taking into account the experimental results obtained in the laboratory. A thermal power of 220 kW was predicted for the installation, taking into account the energetic characteristics of the residues for 50 kg h(-1) of raw material, with installation efficiency of 22.5%. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.