A gasification unit includes a gasifier configured to gasify a carbon-containing solid fuel; a pressure vessel housing the gasification furnace; a pressure holding section that is to be filled with a pressurizing gas and is provided between the gasifier and the pressure vessel; a pressurizing gas supply device configured to supply a pressurizing gas to the pressure holding section; pressure equalizing pipes by which the inside of the gasifier is communicated with the pressure holding section; a pressure difference detection and estimation device configured to detect or estimate a pressure difference between a first pressure on the gasifier side and a second pressure on the pressure holding section side; and a control device configured to control the pressurizing gas supply device such that the second pressure is higher than the first pressure based on a detection or estimation result of the pressure difference detection and estimation device.
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