The combustion performance of H 2-rich model syngas was investigated by using a premixed swirl flame combustor. Syngas consisting mainly of H 2 and CO was blended with components such as CH 4 and CO 2 in a mixing chamber prior to combustion at atmospheric condition. The global flame appearance and emissions performance were examined for high (H 2 /CO = 3) and moderate (H 2 /CO = 1.2) H 2-rich syngases. Results showed that higher H 2 fractions in the syngases produce lower NO x emissions per kWh basis across all equivalence ratios tested. CO emissions are equivalence ratio dependent and are less affected by the H 2 fraction in the syngas. Increasing CO 2 diluent ratios result in the decrease of NO x , particularly for moderate H 2-rich syngases. In contrast, syngas without CO shows an increase of NO x with increasing CO 2 for fuel-lean mixtures. Addition of CO 2 increases the lean blowout limit of all syngases. Higher fraction of H 2 produces lower lean blowout limits due to the characteristics of high diffusivity of hydrogen molecules and high flame speed that assist in the stabilisation of the flame under flame-lean conditions. The range of blowout limits for moderate and high H 2-rich and pure hydrogen syngases under diluent ratios up to 25% were within the range of φ = 0.12-0.15.