A laboratory-scale, fluidized-bed reactor (29 mm i) has been used for experiments in which a stream of simulated combustion gases is passed through a countercurrent flame of either methane or propane. The effects of N2O concentration and bed temperature on N2O reduction have been analyzed. Additionally, the effects of NO, SO2, O-2, and carrier gas (N-2 or He) in the inlet stream have been studied. An attempt to establish whether N2O decomposition in the flame proceeds via radical or thermal mechanisms was carried out by assuming an ideal reaction model in the flame. Up to 99% N2O decomposition was achieved at a gas/oxygen equivalence ratio of 0.83 (12 vol.% O-2) and a total flow rate of 1 L/min, for both methane and propane injected into the reactor. The analyses indicate that NOx is formed in the flame mainly via a ＇＇prompt NO＇＇ mechanism. Metallic surfaces can alter the N2O chemistry, either enhancing (empty reactor) or inhibiting (flame) N2O decomposition. Both NO and SO2 play a minor role in the decomposition of N2O, and so does the carrier gas, though in this case, N-2 can produce considerable amounts of NOx under particular circumstances. Under the conditions used, thermal decomposition accounts for only around 10% of the high N2O conversions achieved in the flame, radical mechanisms playing a major role.