The results of this study show that pulverized coal can be burned in a catalytic combustor. Pulverized coal combustion in catalytic beds is markedly different from gaseous fuel combustion. Gas combustion gives uniform bed temperatures and reaction rates over the entire bed length and, depending on flow conditions and bed geometry, little combustion may occur downstream of the bed. For the bed configurations, fuel supplies, and test conditions studied, pulverized coal combustion results in significant temperature and reaction gradients over the bed length and substantial combustion downstream of the bed. Thus, for pulverized coal combustion, the bed acts mainly as an indicator and stabilizer of combustion. A significant portion of the combustion process, primarily that associated with char burnout, occurs downstream of the bed.