Pressurised steam gasification of wet biomass in a fixed-bed downdraft gasifier was implemented to identify reaction conditions yielding the highest synthesis gas concentration and efficiency, and to examine the generation of sulphur compounds. The gasification of lignin-rich fermentation residue derived from a bench-plant for bioethanol production from woody biomass was investigated at p = 0.99 MPa and T = 750-900 degrees C for steam to biomass ratios (S/B) of 3.4-17 and equivalence ratios (phi) of 3.3-infinity. The results showed that the highest concentration of around 70 mol% was obtained at T >= 850 degrees C, phi = 13 and S/B = 3.4, the highest efficiency of 0.26 was obtained at T = 900 degrees C, phi = 3.3 and S/B = 3.4, and sulphur compounds were H2S and COS. For the production of BTL synthesis gas, pressurised gasification has the potential to convert the wet residue below 77.3 wt.% moisture contents. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.