An organically complexed nanocatalyst composition is applied to or mixed
with coal prior to or upon introducing the coal into a coal burner in
order to catalyze the removal of coal nitrogen from the coal and its
conversion into nitrogen gas prior to combustion of the coal. This
process leads to reduced NOx production during coal combustion. The
nanocatalyst compositions include a nanoparticle catalyst that is made
using a dispersing agent that can bond with the catalyst atoms. The
dispersing agent forms stable, dispersed, nano-sized catalyst particles.
The catalyst composition can be formed as a stable suspension to
facilitate storage, transportation and application of the catalyst
nanoparticles to a coal material. The catalyst composition can be applied
before or after pulverizing the coal material or it may be injected
directly into the coal burner together with pulverized coal.