Experiments were carried out on a one-dimensional bench combustion tests rig. The effect of air preheating and moisture level in the fuel on combustion characteristics of corn straw was investigated. The bed temperature distribution and the mass loss of fuel and gas components such as O-2, CO, CO2 and NO were measured in the bed. The average burning rate and ignition front propagation velocity increased with increasing primary air preheating temperature. The total burning time was shorter under the higher primary air preheating temperature and the higher primary air preheating temperature produced a lower ignition front flame temperature in the bed. The variation of the flue gas O-2, CO and CO2 concentrations with time was more intensive at a higher primary air preheating temperature during the ignition front propagation period and the char oxidation period. With the increase of the fuel moisture, average burning rate and ignition front propagation velocity decreased. As the fuel moisture was less than 30.71%, with the increase of the fuel moisture, residual mass loss rate decreased and ignition front flame temperature increased at a fixed air flow rate. Drier fuels resulted in fuel-rich combustion and higher CO concentration. The NO concentration decreased with increasing the moisture level in the fuel. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.