Synthesis gas produced from gasification of coal contains sulphur compounds that need to be removed before the gas can be further processed. For the sulphur removal process, it is normally assumed that all sulphur is present as hydrogen sulphide (H2S) with minor amounts of carbonyl sulphide (OCS). This paper examines the equilibrium composition of a raw synthesis gas from a Texaco gasifier, and how the composition changes kinetically as the gas is cooled. It is confirmed that H2S should always be the dominant sulphur species in cold syngas, with about 5% of sulphur appearing as OCS. Higher temperatures, and very high cooling rates can cause significant conversion of the sulphur to elemental S-2. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.