In a study of methods for removing trace contaminants from hot products of coal combustion, a combustor was constructed to provide a closely controlled environment for a small pulverized fuel flame. Various materials selected as candidates for contaminant collection were mixed with a pulverized North Dakota lignite used as the fuel. Residence times of the particles were estimated to vary from 1.5 to 3 seconds in an atmosphere that ranged from -32% to 265% excess air with temperatures of 650/sup 0/C to 900/sup 0/C. The ash and collectors removed from the flue gases were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and EDS/WDS microprobe analysis. It was found that activated alumina adsorbed significant amounts of sodium from the flame. Other materials, such as emathlite, adsorbed similar amounts of sodium. A correlation between excess air and Na adsorption on the activated alumina showed that a sharp increase in adsorption occurred with increasing excess air up to a maximum near 100% excess air. This maximum was approximately 2200 ppM by weight -30%. A porous silica glass exhibited a narrower adsorption range over a wide range of temperature and excess air, with an average of about 60 ppM adsorption and a maximum of 90 ppM. Calculations combining the measured sodium adsorption with published citations of sodium concentrations in flue gases and turbine requirements suggested that around 5 weight percent of activated alumina in coal could provide the necessary reduction of sodium content for a gas turbine feed. 20 refs., 28 figs., 11 tabs.