The paper presents the results of the investigation of nitric oxide reduction by its reaction with metallic iron, within the temperature range of 750-1200 degrees C. Experiments were carried out in a one-dimensional tubular flow reactor externally heated in an electrical furnace. The spherical and cylindrical iron samples of well-defined and fixed surface area were placed in the center of the reactor. Mixtures NO/N-2, NO/O-2/N-2, NO/CO2/N-2 of different molar compounds fractions were continuously fed into the reactor. The surfaces and cross-sections of partly oxidized iron samples were observed using a scanning microscope. The rate of nitric oxide reduction in the first stage of iron oxidization was measured. The obtained values lie between those presented in the literature and measured in the fluidized bed reactor and thermogravimetrically. A very strong influence of oxygen but a very weak one of carbon dioxide on the efficiency of NO reduction was observed within the investigated range of temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.