Abstract: On the basis of the review and summary of the development history of atmospheric pollutant emission standards in thermal power plants of China, the promoting role and the resulting environmental effects of these standards or requirements in different stages, especially those for ultra-low emissions are analyzed on the development of atmospheric pollution control technologies in coal-fired power plants in China,. At present, the control of atmospheric pollutants in thermal power industry in China is at the stage of ultra-low emission, and the prevention and control technologies of atmospheric pollution in coal-fired power plants is at the leading edge of the world. For the three main conventional pollutants, such as dust, SO₂ and NO_x, the coal-fired power plants have achieved the state of cleanliness almost the same as the gas-fired power generation. Nevertheless, China's thermal power environmental protection is still facing many other challenges, such as CO₂ control, further reductions of regular air pollutants, wet desulphurization effect on ecological environment, disposal of hazardous waste scrap of SCR catalyst, non-conventional pollutants control, operation optimization of flue gas treatment facilities, etc. In this paper, the key areas and corresponding targets for research and development are also put forward.

Key words: thermal power gemeration, air pollution, CO₂, NO_x, SO₂, dust, ultra-low emissions, flue gas treatment