Biomass gasification is one of major biomass utilization technologies to get high quality gas. The high
quality gas can be subsequently used for gas supply and power generation as well as syngas. Significant
efforts have therefore been made in biomass-derived syngas production. The paper reviews the state-ofthe-
art biomass-derived syngas production techniques in terms of technical performance. Various kinds
of gasification reactor are briefly introduced. Main technologies of syngas production can be divided into
four approaches: partial oxidation and steam reforming of biomass pyrolysis oils, co-gasification of
biomass and coal, coupled steam hydrogasification of biomass and reforming of methane, gasification of
biomass-derived char. Each of these production processes are also analyzed in detail. Among these
production technologies, the primary technology for syngas production is steam hydrogasification and
reforming. Syngas has a higher H2/CO ratio by using these two technologies: the steam hydrogasification
and reforming technology and biomass-derived char technology.