Coupling Technology for Ultra-Low Emissions and Thermal Energy Recovery from Biomass Power Plant Flue Gas
On March 7, 2025, Zhongji Shengfeng Environmental Engineering Technology Group Co., Ltd. (Zhongji Shengfeng), together with Nanjing Weixiang Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., launched a pilot project for 'Coupling Technology of Ultra-Low Flue Gas Emissions and Thermal Energy Recovery' at Shanghai Electric (Mengcheng) Biomass Power Co., Ltd. The initiative received extensive media coverage from more than ten outlets, including Global Times, China.com, China Daily, and The Paper.
Currently, biomass and municipal solid waste power plants worldwide are facing increasing pressure from stringent environmental regulations. The growing cost of pollution control and the resulting decline in power generation efficiency are driving up the overall cost of biomass power. In fact, the generation cost at many biomass plants now exceeds grid purchase prices, making it difficult for operations to continue without government subsidies. However, as representatives of renewable energy, these plants play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions, optimizing energy structures, and turning waste into resources—both economically and socially.
Unlike coal-fired plants, biomass power relies on agricultural and forestry waste, which features low calorific value and complex composition. The flue gas produced is more challenging to treat due to its wide low-temperature range and complicated pollutant content. Traditional treatment systems are costly and struggle to meet ultra-low emission targets. In response, Zhongji Shengfeng and Nanjing Weixiang jointly initiated a pilot project to address these challenges, achieving a significant technological breakthrough through innovation in both technology and implementation.
At a technical appraisal meeting held on March 7 in Mengcheng, Anhui, experts confirmed that this project had made remarkable progress in biomass flue gas treatment. The system not only met ultra-low emission standards but also realized value through the recovery of low-grade thermal energy and the separation and reuse of gaseous pollutants, resulting in substantial economic benefits. Over a dozen experts, government officials, and environmental entrepreneurs from across China attended the event to witness the achievement.
This project marks the first time that economic gains have exceeded treatment costs in flue gas management. It introduces a new operating model for biomass power plants that integrates environmental protection, economic returns, and carbon reduction. According to an evaluation by the Shanghai Institute of Science and Technology Information under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the overall technology ranks at a leading level domestically and an advanced level internationally, with some core parameters—such as NOₓ and particulate matter removal efficiencies—reaching world-leading standards.
The pilot employed the world's first 'Modular Flue Gas Denitrification and Thermal Recovery with Nitrogen Oxides Resource Utilization' technology. By leveraging AI-driven analysis and precision control, it transforms previously unused low-quality heat into high-value thermal energy. Using methods such as droplet atomization, low-entropy fluid evolution, and advanced materials, the system efficiently removes both particulate and gaseous pollutants. Simultaneously, NOₓ is separated, concentrated, and converted into high-grade liquid ammonium nitrate fertilizer.
Equipment manufacturing and installation began on May 1, 2024, and the system entered operation on September 15. After six cycles of adsorption–desorption–reduction, the system demonstrated stable performance with the following results:
NOₓ emissions maintained at 12 mg/m³—far below the national standard of 50 mg/m³.
Particulate emissions below 1 mg/m³, achieving ultra-low emission levels.
Continuous recovery of low-grade heat from flue gas to produce domestic hot water at 85–90°C, with a thermal recovery efficiency of 53.34%.
Successful conversion of NOₓ in the flue gas into a 15% concentration liquid nitrogen fertilizer.
'This technology, with its comprehensive advantages, not only ensures ultra-low emissions but also delivers substantial economic returns through heat and resource recovery,' said Mr. Huang Qing, the project's inventor and chief designer. 'For a typical 30MW biomass power plant, it can recover 14MW of high-value thermal energy per hour, yielding around RMB 20 million in annual revenue from heat recovery and NOₓ reuse alone.'
At the event, Mr. Jiang Zhigang, a senior environmental expert and General Manager of Zhongji Shengfeng, remarked that biomass power plants—key to China's green power development—have long struggled with the dual challenge of emission control and generation efficiency. This breakthrough offers a solution to both issues, enabling environmental, economic, and social benefits to align and advancing sustainable development.
Dr. Zhang Yi, a renowned environmental expert and Chairman of Shanghai Huanlian Eco-Tech Co., Ltd., noted that ultra-low emissions and efficient thermal recovery in biomass power plants align with national policies for green and low-carbon development, while also meeting the industry's goals for quality and efficiency. He emphasized the demonstration and replicability value of the project and its importance to broader application.
According to public data, by the end of December 2024, China's installed capacity for biomass power had reached 45.99GW, up 4% year-on-year. This pilot project offers an innovative solution for the sector's environmental upgrade and economic performance. If scaled nationwide, it could generate an estimated RMB 300 billion in annual economic benefits, highlighting vast potential for application.
This technological breakthrough marks a critical step in green innovation for the biomass power sector. Looking ahead, it is expected to support China's 'dual carbon' goals and, under the Belt and Road Initiative, provide leading solutions to the global biomass power industry, promoting green and low-carbon development worldwide.
source: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/uGFHXUDeya4Qqd8NN4VnjQ