A Complete Guide to QCVN 19:2024 and Comparison with QCVN 19:2009 for Industrial Boiler Emission Standards

Effective from July 1, 2025, QCVN 19:2024 officially applies to many new investment projects, production expansion projects, and capacity upgrade projects. Compared with QCVN 19:2009, the new regulation introduces additional assessment parameters and significantly tighter emission limits for industrial exhaust gases.

So, what should businesses prepare to comply with the new regulation? This article explains the major changes introduced in QCVN 19:2024 and highlights the key solutions businesses should consider.

Overview of QCVN 19:2024/BTNMT – The New Industrial Emission Standard

QCVN 19:2024 BTNMT – Industrial boiler emission standards under QCVN 19:2024

QCVN 19:2024/BTNMT is the National Technical Regulation specifying the maximum allowable limits of pollutants in industrial emissions released into the atmosphere.
The regulation applies to environmental regulatory authorities as well as organizations and individuals involved in industrial emission activities.
Effective from July 1, 2025, QCVN 19:2024/BTNMT replaces QCVN 19:2009/BTNMT together with several other regulations governing industrial emissions.

Key Changes in QCVN 19:2024 Compared with QCVN 19:2009

1. Expanded Scope of Regulation

While QCVN 19:2009 mainly focused on particulate matter and inorganic pollutants, QCVN 19:2024 expands its scope to include organic compounds and additional pollution parameters, providing more comprehensive control over industrial emissions.

2. More Detailed Classification of Applicable Areas

QCVN 19:2024 classifies application areas into three categories:

• Column A: Facilities located in environmentally sensitive areas such as residential zones, schools, hospitals, and nature reserves. 

• Column B: Facilities located near industrial parks or production areas with low population density. 

• Column C: Specialized industrial zones located far from residential communities. 

This classification establishes clearer emission limits based on the environmental characteristics of each area.

Decree No. 08/2022

3. Stricter Emission Limits

Compared with QCVN 19:2009, QCVN 19:2024 introduces significantly stricter emission limits.

For example:

• The allowable carbon monoxide (CO) concentration is reduced from 1,000 mg/Nm³ to 350 mg/Nm³. 
• The allowable total particulate matter concentration is reduced from 200 mg/Nm³ to 60 mg/Nm³. 

These tighter limits require businesses to invest in more advanced emission control technologies to comply with the new standard.

Detailed Comparison Between QCVN 19:2024 and QCVN 19:2009

The replacement of QCVN 19:2009/BTNMT with QCVN 19:2024/BTNMT marks an important step forward in controlling industrial air pollution, especially for industrial boiler systems. While QCVN 19:2009 mainly focused on dust and inorganic substances, the 2024 version expands its scope to include TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds), heavy metals, and dioxins/furans. This allows stricter control of pollution levels and requires businesses to upgrade their emission treatment technologies in order to comply with the new standard.

In addition, QCVN 19:2024 classifies emission limits into three groups: A, B, and C, instead of only two groups, A and B, as in the previous regulation.Column A applies to areas requiring strict environmental protection, such as residential areas, hospitals, and schools. Column B applies to industrial areas with low population density, while Column C is intended for specialized industrial zones where emission control requirements may be more flexible.

In terms of emission limits, the new emission standard is significantly stricter. For example, the allowable CO concentration is reduced from 1,000 mg/Nm³ to 350 mg/Nm³, while total particulate matter (PM) is reduced from 200 mg/Nm³ to only 60 mg/Nm³. This requires businesses to deploy advanced dust filtration systems such as bag filters, electrostatic precipitators, or wet scrubbers, while also applying technologies to treat NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) and SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) in order to meet the required standard.

The comparison table below highlights the key differences between QCVN 19:2024 and QCVN 19:2009, helping businesses better understand the changes and prepare suitable solutions:

It can be seen that QCVN 19:2024 not only adds more components that need to be controlled, but also tightens emission limits for many important parameters..

This means that many boiler systems currently complying with QCVN 19:2009 may need to be reassessed if the business plans a new investment, production expansion, or capacity upgrade.

For systems using biomass fuels, compliance with the new regulation does not depend only on the emission treatment system. It is also closely related to fuel quality, the combustion process, and the boiler operating mode.

Challenges for Businesses in Complying with QCVN 19:2024

Implementing QCVN 19:2024/BTNMT not only introduces stricter emission limits but also presents significant challenges for businesses. To comply with the new regulation, companies need a well-planned strategy covering investment, technology upgrades, and personnel training.

Dust Suppression Water Spray System

Investment Costs

Upgrading or replacing emission treatment systems to comply with the new standard requires substantial capital investment. Businesses, especially those operating large manufacturing facilities, should prepare an appropriate financial plan to minimize the impact on their operations.

Technology Upgrades

QCVN 19:2024 sets lower allowable emission limits, meaning businesses must adopt more advanced emission control technologies. Solutions such as electrostatic precipitators (ESP), SO₂ absorption using alkaline solutions, and SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) for NOx removal all require specialized engineering expertise and operation.

Personnel Training

Advanced emission control systems require highly skilled technical personnel. Proper training not only improves system performance but also minimizes risks during industrial emission control.

Transition Timeline

Businesses need sufficient time to modify their existing systems to meet the new requirements. Aligning production processes with QCVN 19:2024 may interrupt operations if the transition is not carefully planned.

Solutions to Help Boiler Systems Comply with QCVN 19:2024

To comply with the new regulation, businesses should not focus solely on end-of-pipe emission treatment systems.

Effective emission control depends on the entire process, including combustion performance, fuel quality, and downstream emission treatment technologies.

1. Optimize the Combustion Process

The combustion process determines how much pollution is generated.

A stable combustion system helps to:

• Reduce CO emissions.
• Minimize incomplete fuel combustion.
• Improve fuel utilization efficiency.

This is the fundamental solution before investing in emission treatment equipment.

2. Control Fuel Quality

Fuel characteristics directly affect combustion efficiency and emission levels.

During operation, businesses should pay close attention to:

• Fuel moisture content.
• Fuel quality.
• Fuel supply consistency.

Proper control of these factors helps reduce CO emissions while improving overall system performance.

3. Install an Appropriate Dust Collection System

Several technologies are commonly used to control total particulate emissions, including:

• Cyclone separator.
• Bag filter.
• Electrostatic precipitator (ESP).
• Wet scrubber. 

What Is an ESP?

An Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) is a dust collection system that electrically charges airborne particles and captures them on collection plates.

ESP systems are commonly used in applications with high gas flow rates and demanding dust collection efficiency requirements. 

4. CO Emission Control

Under QCVN 19:2024, the allowable CO (Carbon Monoxide) emission limit has been significantly reduced compared with the previous regulation.

To effectively control CO emissions, businesses should:

• Maintain a stable combustion process.
• Control fuel moisture content.
• Operate the boiler at an appropriate load.

These are also the solutions discussed in the accompanying video.

5. SO₂ Emission Treatment

For systems that generate SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) emissions, one of the most common solutions is to use an absorption tower (scrubber) together with an alkaline solution.

The two alkaline solutions most commonly used are:

• Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).
• Sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

The objective is to reduce the SO₂ concentration before the flue gas is released into the atmosphere.

6. NOx Control Solutions

In addition to CO, SO₂, and particulate matter, NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) is another regulated pollutant under QCVN 19:2024.

Depending on the boiler type, fuel characteristics, and required emission limits, businesses can adopt suitable NOx control technologies.

The two technologies most widely used today are:

• SNCR (Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction) for non-catalytic NOx reduction.
• SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) for catalytic NOx reduction.

The appropriate technology should be selected based on the characteristics of each boiler system and its specific emission requirements

Why Is a Comprehensive System Evaluation Better Than Focusing Only on Emission Control Equipment?

A common mistake is to focus solely on installing emission treatment equipment at the end of the flue gas system.

In reality, overall emission performance also depends on:

• Combustion chamber design.
• Combustion conditions.
• Fuel quality.
• Operating conditions.
• The effectiveness of the emission treatment system.

When all of these factors are optimized together, the amount of dust and gaseous pollutants generated at the source can be significantly reduced. As a result, the downstream emission treatment system operates under a lower load, improving both efficiency and long-term reliability.

Why Is Choosing the Right Boiler Supplier Becoming Increasingly Important?

Complying with QCVN 19:2024 depends not only on the emission treatment system installed downstream of the boiler but also on the combustion chamber design, combustion control capability, fuel quality, and the overall integration of the entire boiler system.

As a result, selecting a boiler supplier is no longer simply a matter of comparing initial investment costs. It has become a critical factor that directly affects environmental compliance as well as long-term operating costs.

A boiler system that is properly designed from the beginning can reduce the generation of dust, CO, and other air pollutants at the source. This lowers the load on the emission control system and minimizes the need for costly modifications as environmental regulations become increasingly stringent.

Key Factors Businesses Should Evaluate

When selecting a boiler solution, businesses should evaluate multiple factors instead of focusing only on the initial investment cost.

Key evaluation criteria include:

• The ability to comply with the requirements of QCVN 19:2024.
• Combustion chamber design and combustion optimization capability.
• The ability to control dust, CO, SO₂, and other regulated pollutants.
• Compatibility with the intended fuel type.
• Operating efficiency and fuel consumption.
• The flexibility to upgrade the system if future environmental requirements become more stringent.
• Overall operating cost, maintenance cost, and system service life.

Evaluating all of these factors helps businesses select a solution that best fits their production requirements while minimizing future investment during operation.

Don't Focus Solely on Emission Control Equipment

In many cases, businesses focus only on installing emission treatment equipment at the end of the flue gas system to meet emission limits.

However, if excessive amounts of dust, CO, or SO₂ are generated inside the combustion chamber, the downstream treatment system must operate under a much heavier load. This leads to higher investment costs, increased consumable usage, and greater maintenance expenses.

Conversely, when the combustion process is optimized and pollutants are controlled at their source, the entire emission treatment system operates more efficiently and remains more stable over the long term.

Evaluate the System Early in the Project

For new investment projects, production expansion, or capacity upgrades, evaluating compliance with QCVN 19:2024 during the design stage enables businesses to plan their investments more effectively.

Selecting the right solution from the outset not only helps meet environmental requirements but also improves operating efficiency, reduces fuel costs, and minimizes the risk of expensive system modifications after the regulation takes effect.

Need to Evaluate Your Compliance with QCVN 19:2024?

If your business is planning to invest in, expand, or upgrade a boiler system, evaluating compliance with QCVN 19:2024 at the beginning of the project will help you select the most suitable solution for your actual operating conditions.

The engineering team at DIVI Group can assist with on-site surveys, system evaluations, and customized technical recommendations for each project.

Technical Consultation Hotline: +84 942 488 818

Biomass-fired industrial boiler

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is QCVN 19:2024?

QCVN 19:2024 is the National Technical Regulation on Industrial Emissions issued together with Circular No. 45 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

This regulation replaces several industrial emission standards that were previously in effect.

2. Which Projects Must Comply with QCVN 19:2024?

The regulation applies to the following types of projects:

• New investment projects.
• Production expansion projects.
• Capacity upgrade projects.

These projects are required to comply with the new regulation when implemented.

3. Must Businesses Currently Complying with QCVN 19:2009 Immediately Switch to QCVN 19:2024?

According to the regulation, businesses that completed their application documents before July 1, 2025, may continue applying QCVN 19:2009 until December 31, 2031.

From January 1, 2032, these facilities will be required to comply with QCVN 19:2024.

4. How Does QCVN 19:2024 Classify Industrial Emission Components?

According to the regulation, emission parameters are classified into two categories:

• Gaseous pollutants.
• Particulate pollutants.

The gaseous category includes pollutants such as CO, SO₂, NOx, TVOC, dioxins, furans, mercury, and others.

The particulate category includes dust, heavy metals, soot, and similar particulate pollutants.

5. How Is QCVN 19:2024 Different from QCVN 19:2009?

Compared with QCVN 19:2009, the new regulation features a more comprehensive structure, including:

• 54 gaseous pollutants.
• 12 particulate pollutants.
• Three emission categories: Columns A, B, and C.

In addition, many emission limits have become significantly more stringent.

6. What Solutions Can Help Businesses Comply with QCVN 19:2024?

Some of the solutions discussed include:

• Multi-stage dust collection systems such as cyclones, bag filters, electrostatic precipitators (ESP), and wet scrubbers.
• Optimizing the combustion process, controlling fuel moisture, and maintaining stable operating loads to reduce CO emissions.
• Using SO₂ absorption towers (scrubbers) with alkaline solutions such as Ca(OH)₂ or NaOH when SO₂ treatment is required.

7. Why Has Boiler Technology Selection Become More Important Under QCVN 19:2024?

Selecting a boiler system is no longer based solely on the initial investment cost. Businesses should also consider:

• Operating costs.
• System efficiency.
• The ability to comply with environmental technical requirements.

Conclusion

QCVN 19:2024 represents a significant step forward in the management of industrial emissions by expanding its regulatory scope and introducing stricter environmental requirements than previous standards.

For businesses operating industrial boiler systems, compliance depends not only on the effectiveness of emission treatment equipment but also on boiler design, fuel quality, combustion performance, and overall system operation.

By understanding the regulation, evaluating existing systems, and selecting the right technical solution from the early stages of a project, businesses can achieve environmental compliance while reducing future upgrade costs and improving long-term operating efficiency.

If your business is planning to invest in, expand, or upgrade a boiler system, assessing compliance with QCVN 19:2024 from the beginning will help you select the most appropriate solution and minimize future investment costs.

The engineering team at DIVI Group is ready to assist with on-site surveys, system evaluations, and customized technical recommendations.

Technical Hotline: +84 942 488 818

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