AbstractDevolatilization and char burning were studied in an electrically heated bench‐scale fluidized‐bed reactor at 750 to 900°C bed temperature, gas oxygen mole fractions ranging from zero to 0.21, superficial gas velocities from 0.3 to 0.7 m/s and coal particle diameters 5 to 35 mm. The coals investigated include lignite, bituminous and anthracite. The coal devolatilization and char burning times, H/C ratio histories, and particle fragmentation were measured. Statistical correlations with the operating variables were developed for the devolatilization time. A mathematical model is given for the combustion of char. Most predictions of the model agree quite well with the experimental res