Decoupling combustion realized by dividing the coal combustion process into coal pyrolysis and the combustion of volatiles and char can reduce NO emission from coal fired stoves. In this study, decoupling combustion process in coal fired stoves was simulated experimentally with a specially designed dual-bed model reactor. The reactor can simulate various combustion sub-steps occurring in a real stove. The experimental results suggest that NO reduction by burning char may be the major contribution for NO reduction in decoupling combustion process. Compared with normal combustion, up to 40% NO emission can be reduced in decoupling combustion process. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.