The ignition temperature and burnout 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% O-2 and 35%O-2-65%CO2) were compared with those attained 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. For the 21%O-2-79% CO2 atmosphere, the results indicated that the ignition temperature was higher and the coal burnout was lower than in air. However, when the O-2 concentration was increased to 30 and 35% in the oxy-fuel combustion atmosphere, the ignition temperature was lower and coal burnout was improved in comparison with air conditions. On the other hand, an increase in ignition temperature and a worsening of the coal burnout was observed when steam was added to the oxy-fuel combustion atmospheres though no relevant differences between the different steam concentrations were detected. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.