Abstract: Coke is desulphurized by sequentially heating the coke to desulphurization temperatures, and maintaining the coke at desulphurization temperatures to effect desulphurization thereof, the coke reaching a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. (preferaby at least 1100.degree. C. and, more preferably at least 1200.degree. C.) during desulphurization, and cooling being effected by direct countercurrent contact with a gas and, all or a portion of the heating being effected by direct countercurrent contact with the gas, with the heat released from the coke during cooling being recuperated by the gas and employed to provide most of the heating to bring the coke to desulphurization temperature. The coke and/or gas is heated between the cooling and heating steps to maintain the gas at a temperature below the coke during cooling and at a temperature above the coke during heating.