PURPOSE: To improve ignition and combustion properties, by a method wherein, after pulverized coal produced by a mill is separated from transporting, gas only the pulverized coal is forced into direct contact with high temperature gas to increase temperature and dehydrate, and is guided to a burner for drying and preheating.

CONSTITUTION: Pulverized coal pulverized by a mill 2 is conveyed from the mill 2 by transporting, gas is separated from coal with the aid of a cyclone 3 to eliminate the possibility to cause explosion. Thereafter, only the pulverized coal is conveyed to a heat exchanger cyclone 4 through a piping 8, is forced into direct contact with high temperature gas guided from a boiler 1 to increase temperature, and a moisture content, simultaneously, is removed. The pulverized coal is guided to an ejector 5 through a piping 9, and is fed therefrom to a burner 6 through a piping 10 by means of gas from a blower 12. Since oxygen- freed gas taken out from the boiler 1 is guided to the burner 6, the pulverized coal is dried and preheated therein. This improves ignition and combustion properties of the pulverized coal immediately after the burner.