This paper addresses the modeling of oxy-coal combustion and its validation for a 90 kW fluidized bed unit. The one-dimensional model is based on semi-empirical approaches, which assumptions are presented and discussed in the paper. Model predictions comprise fluid dynamics, combustion and heat transfer rates under oxy-coal combustion conditions. The model is experimentally fitted to the fired coals, and validation is accomplished by comparing simulations with experimental measurements, when firing three different coals for a wide range of O-2 concentrations. Results demonstrate that the model is able to adequately simulate the phenomena occurring in the reactor, showing good agreements and well capturing all the trends observed during the experiments. The model can then be used to analyze the facility performance in a reliable and inexpensive way. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.