The aim of this paper is to present a predictive kinetic model of the release of sulfur compounds from coal. The model first characterizes the relative amount of the different forms of sulfur components. Inorganic (pyritic and sulfates) and organic sulfur (aliphatic, aromatic and thiophenic) are estimated quite simply on the basis of a wide range of elemental coal compositions available in the literature. Sulfur compounds are released in the gas phase mainly as H(2)S and S components in the tar fraction. A sulfur fraction also remains in the residual char. The kinetic model, with the related rate parameters, is validated through comparison with experimental data from the literature. The agreement is satisfactory, even though further experimental and theoretical investigation would be useful to improve the reliability of this kinetic model still further. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.