Steam gasification of waste biomass has been studied in a two-stage fluidized bed reactor, which has the primary pyrolysis fluidized bed using silica sand as bed material and the secondary reforming fixed bed with catalyst. The main objectives are parametric investigation and performance improvement especially at low temperature of around 600 degrees C using the wood chip and the pig manure compost as feedstock. Main operating variables studied are pyrolysis temperature, catalytic temperature, steam/biomass-C ratio, space velocity and different catalyst. Reaction temperatures and steam/C ratio have important role on the gasification process. About 60 vol.% H(2) (dry and N(2) free) and about 2.0 Nm(3)/kg biomass (dry and ash free basis) can be obtained under good conditions. Compared to Ni/Al(2)O(3), Ni/BCC (Ni-loaded brown coal char) has a better ability and a hopeful prospect for the stability with coking resistance. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.