The NO emissions of a semi-anthracite and a high-volatile bituminous coal were studied under oxy-fuel combustion conditions in an entrained flow reactor (EFR). The results obtained under oxy-fuel atmospheres (21% O-2-79% CO2, 30% O-2-70% CO2 and 35% O-2-65% CO2), were compared with those produced in air. The replacement of CO2 by 5, 10, and 20% of steam in the oxy-fuel combustion atmospheres was also evaluated in order to study the wet recirculation of flue gas. The NO emissions during oxy-fuel combustion were lower than those in air-firing, and a slight increasing trend in NO emissions was observed as O-2 concentrations in the oxy-fuel atmospheres increased. Similarly, the NO concentration was reduced by the addition of steam, both under air and under oxy-fuel atmospheres, but no relevant differences between the different steam concentrations were observed. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd