The particle residence time distributions in the entrained-flow gasifier as the important parameters in the gasification process were studied by using a new stimulus response method.The differences of the particle residence time distributions in the opposed multi-burner entrained-flow(OMBEF) and Texaco gasifier were compared.The influence of gas velocity and particle diameter on particle residence time distributions was discussed.The experimental results showed that the new stimulus response method was reliable and could be used to measure the particle residence time distributions in the entrained-flow gasifier and the particle residence time in the OMBEF gasifier was more favorable than in the Texaco gasifier.The results also showed that with increasing gas velocity and decreasing particle diameter,the mean and variance of particle residence time increased in both kinds of entrained-flow gasifier.