A high energy laser was used for the rapid heating (up to 10/sup 6/ K/sec) of an entrained stream of pulverized coal particles in dilute phase with an inert gas. Residence time of the particles varied between 3 to 30 milliseconds, and particle temperature history was measured with a specially designed, scanning three color pyrometer. Mass loss of the various species during pyrolysis and devolatilization was determined by a seeded-tracer technique, utilizing a non-volatile additive (fine tungsten carbide powder). A two step, first order, global pyrolysis kinetics model describes the release of the total volatiles, the fuel bound nitrogen and the total sulfur. The experimental temperature history data along with the corresponding mass loss were used in a numerical least-squares algorithm to determine the Arrhenius type rate constants for two different coals.