NO reduction by combination of methane and iron oxides was proposed and investigated in a one-dimensional ceramic tubular reactor at 300-1100 degrees C in N-2 and simulated flue gas atmospheres. Iron mesh rolls were used as iron samples. The combination of methane and iron oxides was proved to have high effectiveness to reduce NO. 100% NO reduction was demonstrated by 1.17% methane over iron oxides for 100 h at 1050 degrees C in simulated flue gas containing 2.0% O-2, 16.8% CO2 and 0.05% NO balanced by N-2. More tests proved that more than 95% NO could be reduced by methane over iron oxides at fuel rich condition in simulated flue gas atmospheres. XRD analysis showed that the redox of iron between Fe3+ <-> Fe2+ <-> Fe due to methane played the critical effect for high NO reduction. The mechanisms involving in NO reduction by iron and iron oxides reduction by methane were discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.