Two compact premixed LPG burners based on submerged and surface combustion modes in porous medium (abbreviated as MSB and SSB respectively) are developed and their combustion and emission characteristics are compared to those of the CB (conventional burner). The preheating and reaction zones of MSB are made from porcelain form and Alumina spheres of 30 mm size, respectively, and the corresponding zones in SSB are made from Alumina (Al2O3) foams of pore densities 26 ppcm and 8 ppcm. NO,, emission is reduced by 76% and 75% by the use of MSB and SSB, respectively, compared with the CB, with acceptable CO and SO2 emissions. For a thermal load of 0.62 kW, the thermal efficiencies of CB, MSB and SSB are estimated to be 47%, 59% and 71%, respectively. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.