Atmospheric Bubbling Fluidised Bed Combustion (ABFBC) of a bituminous coal and anthracite with particle size in the range 500-4000 mu m was investigated in a pilot-plant facility, with and without limestone addition (particle size in range 7 10-1000 mu m). The experiments were conducted at steady-state conditions using three excess air levels (10%, 25% and 50%) and bed temperatures in the 750-900 degrees C range. Combustion air was staged, with primary air accounting for 100%, 80% and 60% of total combustion air. Limestone addition is suitable for in-situ SO2 removal during ABFBC, with removal efficiencies in the range 25-85%. In general, the efficiency Of SO2 removal by limestone decreases with an increase in air staging and a decrease in excess air. The increase in the bed temperature range 825-900 degrees C decreases the efficiency Of SO2 removal by limestone, and in some situations a maximum can occur around 825 degrees C bed temperature. The reducing conditions at the first stage level, the secondary combustion, and the reductive decomposition of CaSO4 could be responsible for the low efficiency Of SO2 removal by limestone during both high air staging and high bed temperatures. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All lights reserved.