Flameless fiber mat catalytic burners have been known as an effective heat source in industrial drying processes since heat obtained from combustion can be transferred to absorptive body by far-infrared radiation. In order to extend the application of fiber mat catalytic burner, novel fiber mat catalytic burners were manufactured and combustion characteristics of them were investigated. For diffusive catalytic burners, the efficiency of combustion was significantly affected by the installation direction and the temperature of catalytic bed perimeter influenced on the diffusion rate of oxygen which determined the combustion efficiency of catalytic burner. It was seen in premixed catalytic combustion that air content in premixed fuel gas was optimized at slightly higher than theoretical amount of air. Combustion heat released higher than 70% by radiant heat in premixed catalytic combustion likewise diffusive catalytic combustion.