Direct combustion characteristics of coal and oxygen carrier were measured in the thermo gravimetric analyzer using four coals and two different oxygen carriers. The direct combustion efficiency decreased in order of Roto, Kideco, Sunhwa and Hyper coal for both oxygen carriers. Moreover, OCN703-1100 oxygen carrier showed better combustion efficiency than OCN706-1100 oxygen carrier for all four coals. The reduction characteristics of two oxygen carriers for CH₄, CO and H₂ gases were measured in the thermo gravimetric analyzer to investigate why OCN703-1100 oxygen carrier showed better combustion efficiency than OCN706-1100 for all coals. The OCN703-1100 oxygen carrier represented higher reduction rate than OCN706-1100 for all reducing gases. Moreover, the total pore area and the porosity of OCN703-1100 were higher than those of OCN706-1100 oxygen carrier. The total volatile gas and volatile components of four coals were measured in a batch type fluidized bed reactor to investigate why the direct combustion efficiency decreased in order of Roto, Kideco, Sunhwa and Hyper coal for both oxygen carriers. The direct combustion efficiency was proportional to the total amount of (CH₄+ CO+H₂) produced during devolatilization of coals.