Induction-heating ignition burner for the pulverized coal fired boiler is introduced. Some experiments were conducted on an experimental set-up, which includes alternative current power system, induction-heating system, pulverized coal and air supplier system, and measurement system to study the ignition process of coal powder and air mixture stream. Some results are presented. An industrial induction-heating burner for a 220 t/h boiler, which was designed on the basis of a series of researches, is described. This kind of oil-free ignition burner is characterized by its stable operation performances, and the lower cost in its maintenance. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.