Anthracite, with low volatile content, has difficulties in ignition, stabilization, and burn out, especially under conditions of low boiler load. A new technique for preheating pulverized anthracite by a circulating fluidized bed was adopted. Experiments on preheated anthracite combustion were carried out in a down-fired combustor. Process of anthracite preheating, combustion characteristics, and NOX emissions were studied. The results show that preheated anthracite has a smaller mean size with a larger specific surface area. There is a uniform temperature profile along the axis of the down-fired combustor, and the combustion efficiency is 96.5%. The NOX emission in the exhaust is 256 mg/N m(3) (@ 6% O-2) and the conversion ratio of fuel-N to NOX is 24.3%. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.