The paper reports the control methods for mitigating particle agglomeration and bed defluidisation during fluidised-bed combustion of low-rank coals. A laboratory scale spouted-bed combustion system is used to study the effectiveness of several control methods including the use of alternative bed materials, mineral additives, pretreatment of coal and coal blending. Sillimanite, bauxite, calcite and magnesite were used as alternative bed materials whereas mineral additives viz. clay, kaosil and bauxite were injected into the combustion system while burning South Australian low-rank coal at 800 degreesC. Samples of the same coal subjected to water-washing, Al pretreatment and Ca pretreatment are also tested in the spouted-bed combustor. In addition, experiments were conducted with several coal blends prepared at ratios of 50:50 and 90:10 from two lignites and one sub-bituminous coal. Experiments showed that all the control methods are effective to different extents in reducing ash problems and resulted in extended combustion operation. Tests with alternative bed materials and mineral additives showed trouble free-operation for longer periods (7-12 h at 800 degreesC) than with sand runs at the same bed temperature. Wet pretreatment and coal blending were also found to be effective and resulted in extended combustion operation (9-12 h at 800 degreesC). Chemical analyses indicated that formation of low temperature eutectics was suppressed by Al/Ca/Mg-rich phases in ash coating of bed particles. This was identified as the main mechanism for prevention of ash problems observed with the use of alternative bed materials, mineral additives, pretreated coals and coal blends. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.