A fly ash sample was used as sorbent for trace element (As, Se, Cd and Zn) species at high temperatures in flue gases from coal gasification. The influence of temperature (550 and 750degreesC) and gas composition (with and without H2S and HCI) on retention capacity was evaluated. It was concluded that this fly ash is an efficient sorbent for retaining As, Se, and Zn compounds in the gas phase from a coal gasification flue gas, retention capacities varying with temperature and gas composition.