摘要：A laboratory scale downdraft biomass gasifier was designed to deliver a mechanical power of 4 kW and thermal power of about 15 kW. The gasifier was manufactured as a single piece having a water seal and cover. The gasifier was tested in natural downdraft and forced downdraft mode. Ignition of the fuel beneath the grate, during natural downdraft mode, using wood shavings as fuel, produced gas which burned with a blue flame for 15 minutes. Ignition at the throat, using either palm kernel shells or wood shavings, during the natural downdraft mode, the gasifier did not produce syngas. During the forced downdraft mode, fuel was ignited at the throat. Gasification was successful with the palm kernel shells, during forced downdraft, which produced gas which burned steadily with luminous flame for 15 minutes per kilogram of biomass fed. However, wood shavings experienced some bridging problems during the forced downdraft mode of operation. The fuel conversion rate of the gasifier, when using palm kernel shells as fuel in forced downdraft mode, was 4 kg/h. Forced downdraft mode of operation yielded better results and is the preferred operation of the gasifier.