The evolution of NOx during coke combustion in the presence and absence of CeO2 was studied in a quartz fixed bed reactor. The distribution of CeO2 in the coke was examined by SEM. and the effects of CeO2 loading and CeO2 particle size on NOx emission were discussed. NO, emission was also investigated by sintering pot tests with CeO2 modified coke as sintering fuel. The results showed that CeO2 was catalytically active in promoting not only coke combustion but also NOx reduction. SEM examination indicated that the CeO2 particles were well distributed on the surface and in pore canals of coke. In coke combustion experiments, NOx and CO emission decreased with increasing CeO2 loading up to 2.0 wt.% and decreasing CeO2 particle size (28-150 mu m), while sintering pot tests showed that NOx emission decreased by 18.8% with 2.0 wt.% CeO2 modified coke as sintering fuel. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.