Porous particles are known to capture hydrocarbons to form carbon deposits within the pores at high temperatures. This effect was applied to fluidized bed combustion of a high-volatile fuel (plastic pellets) to enhance the retention of volatile matter in the reactor. The advantages of porous bed material observed in this work include decreased emissions of NOx and CO, enhanced horizontal dispersion of carbon, and suppression of hot flame combustion in the freeboard. In addition, the porous solids with carbon deposit are useful as an adsorbent of volatile hydrocarbons in gas at low temperatures. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.