Method for producing fuel briquettes

A method for the production of fuel briquettes by hot pressing a mixture of a coal having a fine grain size which softens at the temperature at which the briquettes are pressed and of a component which is substantially undeformable at said temperature, wherein the starting components are heated to different temperatures prior to their being intermixed, by first introducing the non-softening component into a hot gas stream, as viewed in the flow direction, and then introducing the softening component into the hot gas stream, from which they are separated after heating, characterized in that pure oxygen or an oxygen/nitrogen mixture including more than 21% by volume of oxygen is used in such a manner as a process regulating medium and as a reaction component of a heat-up medium, preferrably in a ratio of 2:1 up to the stoichiometric ratio, and wherein a carrier gas stream, having temperatures between 1000.degree. C to 1700.degree. C, is produced in such a manner, that adjusted to the type of starting components which are present in grain sizes up to 14mm, granular structures are achieved which result in bulk weights of between 0.3t/m.sup.3 to 0.7t/m.sup.3 prior to the intermixing, at average or mean heat-up speeds of about 2500.degree. C/sec and end temperatures of between 350.degree. C to 700.degree. C of the substantially undeformable component.