Four kinds of native coals were applied to investigate for N

2

formation from coal nitrogen during pyrolysis or combustion with a gas chromatographic analysis system. The experimental results show that a part of coal nitrogen can be converted into N

2

during pyrolysis. The percentage of N

2

formation from fuel nitrogen is highest for Shenmu and lowest for Jiaozuo coal. N

2

formation percentage formed increases with the increase of temperature. During coal combustion

N

2

can also be formed from coal nitrogen

and N

2

formation percentage also depends on temperature. The percentage of N

2

forma

tion from coal nitrogen increases with temperature at the temperature lower than or equal to 900 ℃ for the coals studied while it decreases obviously at 1 100 ℃ except Shenmu coal. The minerals in the coals studied can enhance the N

2

formation whether during pyrolysis or during combustion process. The percentage of N

2

formation during low temperature combustion is greater than that during low temperature pyrolysis while it depends on coal types at 1 100 ℃.