A new technique of achieving high temperature air was adopted by combustion in high excess air ratio in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB). Experiments on pulverized coal combustion in high temperature air from the CFB were made in a down-fired combustor with the diameter of 220 mm and the height of 3000 mm. High temperature air with lower oxygen concentrations can be achieved steadily and continuously by combustion in the circulating fluidized bed. Pulverized coal combustion in high temperature air shows a uniform temperature profile along the axis of the down-fired combustor and the combustion efficiency is 99.8%. The No. emission is 390 mg/m(3), 13% lower than the regulation for thermal power plants in China. The HCN and NH3 emissions, as well as N2O, are about zero in the exhaust. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.