Lignites comprise about 29 percent of the Nation's solid fuel reserves and constitute a major potential source for future energy needs. Samples of Texas lignite from the Wilcox formation have been investigated at the Morgantown Energy Research Center, U.S. Department of Energy, to assess this fuel as a potential feedstock for fluidized-bed combustors. Combustion tests were performed over a wide range of operating conditions to develop fluidized-bed combustion (FBC) engineering and emissions data on this low-quality fuel. Desirable combustion characteristics observed include: no clinker formation at bed temperature as high as 2000/sup 0/F, high sulfur retention capability of the mineral from lignite at bed temperature below 1600/sup 0/F, and freeboard burning of carryover less than expected. Results of these tests indicate that lignite may be a particularly attractive solid fuel for industrial FBC applications. One potential problem with the use of this fuel is formation of very fine ash particles which are difficult to retain in the bed. Use of an attrition resistant bed material was required to maintain bed inventory.