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Taiyuan Boiler Group has reached another important milestone in the development of circulating fluidized bed boiler (CFB boiler) technology through a joint research project with Tsinghua University and several leading industry partners. The newly developed technology provides an innovative solution for the large-scale treatment and resource utilization of ultra-low calorific value coal gangue and low-activity coal gasification fly ash, offering new opportunities for eco-friendly, energy-saving, and low-carbon power generation.
On July 18, an appraisal meeting for the project, Large-Scale Carbon Reduction Technology for Ultra-Low Calorific Value Coal Gangue and Low-Activity Coal Gasification Fly Ash Solid Waste, was held in the Taiyuan Zhongbei High-Tech Zone. The meeting was organized by the China National Coal Association and brought together academicians from the Chinese Academy of Engineering along with leading experts from China's coal, environmental protection, and power industries.
The technology was jointly developed by Taiyuan Boiler Group, Tsinghua University, Shandong Nuotai Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing Jiechuang Huarui Technology Co., Ltd., and the Tsinghua University Shanxi Clean Energy Research Institute. By combining advanced circulating fluidized bed combustion technology with innovative solid waste treatment processes, the project demonstrates a significant advancement in the efficient utilization of industrial by-products while supporting cleaner energy production.
The appraisal committee was chaired by Academician Huang Qili of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, with Academician Gao Xiang serving as Deputy Director. The review panel also included experts from major organizations such as the National Energy Investment Group, China Coal Energy Group, and Shanmei International Energy Group.
Representatives from the Taiyuan State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), the Taiyuan Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and leading coal mining and coal chemical enterprises, including Jinneng Holding Group and Huadian Coal Industry Group, attended the meeting to observe the technical evaluation and discuss future industrial applications.
During the appraisal, the expert committee reviewed the project's technical documentation, listened to detailed presentations from the research team, and conducted extensive technical discussions. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the committee unanimously approved the project.
According to the expert panel, the technology represents the first successful achievement of its kind both in China and internationally, reaching an internationally leading level. The committee also recommended accelerating demonstration projects to promote large-scale commercialization and wider industrial adoption.
The breakthrough demonstrates another major advancement in circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology, one of the most efficient combustion technologies used in modern power generation.
Unlike conventional combustion systems, fluidized bed combustion enables stable and efficient burning of low-quality fuels while maintaining excellent combustion efficiency and reducing emissions. This makes circulating fluidized bed boilers particularly suitable for handling difficult fuels such as coal gangue, industrial solid waste, and various forms of biomass.
The newly developed technology enables the combustion of ultra-low calorific value coal gangue together with low-activity coal gasification fly ash, transforming materials that were previously considered difficult to utilize into valuable energy resources.
By significantly reducing the carbon content of these industrial wastes while enabling harmless treatment, the technology creates a practical pathway toward resource recycling, carbon reduction, and sustainable industrial development.
China generates more than 800 million tons of new coal gangue every year, along with approximately 50 million tons of low-activity coal gasification fly ash.
Traditional treatment methods have struggled to effectively utilize these materials, resulting in large-scale stockpiling that occupies valuable land and creates environmental challenges such as spontaneous combustion, dust pollution, and long-term ecological risks.
The newly developed technology addresses these longstanding industry challenges by combining advanced CFB boiler technology with innovative combustion processes.
Through efficient combustion and carbon reduction, the technology not only minimizes the environmental impact of these solid wastes but also improves the quality of the resulting ash residue, creating new opportunities for resource recovery and reuse.
This achievement supports the development of cleaner coal-fired energy systems while contributing to broader sustainability goals across the energy industry.
To validate the technology under realistic operating conditions, the joint R&D team constructed a 3 MW semi-industrial thermal pilot plant.
Testing demonstrated efficient combustion of coal gangue with a calorific value as low as 550 kcal, as well as stable combustion of low-activity coal gasification fly ash.
One of the most notable achievements was reducing the average carbon content of the post-combustion ash residue to less than 1%, representing a significant improvement over conventional treatment methods.
This substantial reduction in residual carbon not only lowers environmental risks but also greatly enhances the potential value of the ash residue for subsequent applications.
Potential utilization includes:
Soil improvement projects
Mine reclamation and pit backfilling
Gully restoration and afforestation
Building material production
Other large-scale resource utilization applications
These applications create additional economic value while supporting circular economy initiatives and reducing waste disposal requirements.
Academician Gao Xiang highly praised the project's achievements during the appraisal meeting.
According to Academician Gao, the technology establishes a completely new pathway for the resource utilization and energy recovery of ultra-low calorific value coal gangue and coal gasification fly ash. He noted that the innovation is highly significant for promoting green, low-carbon, and sustainable development while also demonstrating strong commercial potential for future market applications.
Academician Yue Guangxi of Tsinghua University emphasized that although the successful appraisal represents an important milestone, commercialization will require continued collaboration among universities, research institutions, industry partners, and end users.
He expressed confidence in the technology's future development and highlighted the importance of accelerating industrial deployment through close cooperation between academia and industry.
For the engineering team at Taiyuan Boiler Group, the project represents years of continuous research, testing, and optimization.
Wang Xiaowei, Director of the Taiyuan Boiler Group Experimental Base, shared his experience after leading the pilot testing phase.
He explained that the combustion results exceeded expectations and fundamentally changed his understanding of the technology's capabilities. By demonstrating the post-combustion ash residue produced during testing, he highlighted how the carbon reduction process significantly improves the material's potential for comprehensive downstream utilization.
These successful pilot-scale results provide strong technical support for future commercial-scale projects and demonstrate the feasibility of applying the technology in industrial CFB power plant applications.
As a long-established boiler manufacturer, Taiyuan Boiler Group continues to strengthen its technological capabilities through collaboration with leading universities and research institutions.
The company's ongoing investment in circulating fluidized bed boiler technology reflects its commitment to developing advanced solutions for cleaner steam boiler, hot water boiler, and industrial power generation systems.
By integrating innovative fluidized bed combustion technologies with practical engineering experience, Taiyuan Boiler Group continues to expand the application of CFB technology across multiple industries, including coal, industrial heating, and renewable biomass boiler applications.
This latest achievement further reinforces the company's expertise in developing high-efficiency, energy-saving combustion systems capable of supporting both conventional coal-fired fuels and alternative biomass resources.
As global industries continue pursuing carbon reduction and resource efficiency, advanced circulating fluidized bed combustion technology is expected to play an increasingly important role in sustainable energy development.
The successful appraisal of this project demonstrates the significant potential of CFB boiler technology to solve complex industrial waste challenges while supporting cleaner steam production, efficient power generation, and long-term environmental sustainability.
With continued cooperation between Taiyuan Boiler Group, Tsinghua University, and industry partners, the technology is expected to move rapidly toward demonstration projects and commercial deployment, creating new opportunities for cleaner industrial development, improved resource utilization, and the future evolution of circulating fluidized bed technology worldwide.
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