Abstract The design and operation of a new clapboard-type internal circulating fluidized-bed gasifier is proposed in this article. By arranging the clapboard in the bed, the gasifier is thus divided into two regions, which are characterized by different fluidization velocities. The bed structure is designed so that it can guide the circulating flow passing through the two regions, and therefore the feedstock particles entrained in the flow experience longer residence time. The experimental results based on the present new design, operating in the temperature range of 790°C–850°C, indicate that the gas yield is from 1.6–1.9 Nm3/kg feedstock, the gas enthalpies are 5,345 kJ/Nm3 for wood chip and 4,875 kJ/m3 for rice husk, and a gasification efficiency up to 75% can be obtained.