A new type of coat gasifier, consisting of a draft tube spouted bed with circulating ceramic particles as a thermal medium, was demonstrated to produce hydrogen-rich gases from subbituminous coal loaded with potassium carbonate. Examinations at a coal feed of 1 kg/h were carried out at atmospheric pressure and ca. 800 degrees C, employing two levels of H-D(=distance between throat nozzle and draft tube). 3 and 6 mm. Although a low content of hydrogen in the produced gases was obtained due to the large amount of bypass flow (from nozzle to annulus) for H-D=6 mm, initially expected results such as no generation of tar, nearly perfect carbon conversion and 55% hydrogen content in the produced gases were achieved for H-D=3mm, proving the potential of the coal gasifier proposed.