<p>A method of combustion for pulverized hydrocarbonaceous fuelincludes the steps of injecting an air/fuel stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected air/fuel stream to heat the injected air/fuel stream, and injecting the heated air/fuel stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the air/fuel stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a high temperature; sensing a combustion parameter; and based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front.</p>