an oxygen fueled integrated pollutant removal and combustion system includes a combustion system and an integrated pollutant removal system . the combustion system includes a furnace having at least one burner that is configured to substantially prevent the introduction of air . an oxygen supply supplies oxygen at a predetermine purity greater than 21 percent and a carbon based fuel supply supplies a carbon based fuel . oxygen and fuel are fed into the furnace in controlled proportion to each other and combustion is controlled to produce a flame temperature in excess of 3000 degrees f . and a flue gas stream containing co2 and other gases . the flue gas stream is substantially void of non - fuel borne nitrogen containing combustion produced gaseous compounds . the integrated pollutant removal system includes at least one direct contact heat exchanger for bringing the flue gas into intimated contact with a cooling liquid to produce a pollutant - laden liquid stream and a stripped flue gas stream and at least one compressor for receiving and compressing the stripped flue gas stream .