Thermal Energy and South China University of Technology (SCUT) Sign THERMALONOx(TM) Development Agreement - Joint R&D program backed by Chinese government, to test and commercialize TEI's new nitrogen oxides (NOx) removal technology in largest coal-fired power market

    OTTAWA, April 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Thermal Energy International Inc.
(TSX-V:TMG) (www.thermalenergy.com) is pleased to announce it has signed an
agreement with the South China University of Technology (SCUT), with Chinese
government backing, to research and develop industrial applications for
Thermal Energy's THERMALONOx(TM) nitrogen oxides (NOx) removal technology.
    The two-year, agreement calls for Thermal Energy (TEI) and SCUT to
establish a joint research and development laboratory in Guangzhou, China,
with the support of the Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, and
the Guangzhou Environmental Protection Bureau.
    The R&D program envisions demonstrating THERMALONOx(TM) on a coal-fired
power plant slip-stream in Guangdong province which has been tentatively
identified by officials as a suitable test site. SCUT will also contribute
funding and cover a number of expenses including costs related to
demonstration-scale testing. The agreement is non-exclusive and can be
expanded to include additional partners. Laboratory tests in Canada have shown
the new THERMALONOx(TM) process can remove more than 98% of nitrogen oxides
(NOx) from a simulated flue gas stream.
    The agreement also calls for joint development and research into the
removal of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air toxics,
including an opportunity for TEI to explore North American commercialization
of a unique bioremediation technology that SCUT has been developing in China.
This technology may be complimentary to the THERMALONOx(TM) process and
represents an area of research and development which holds great promise as a
solution for air pollution control, including CO2 reduction.
    "We are excited by the opportunity of working with TEI in developing this
technology for its practical applications in China," said Dr. Shaobin Huang,
Professor of SCUT and Project Manager (China) of the TEI-SCUT joint R&D
projects in Guangdong, China. "We believe this technology has a great market
potential here and we will also work due diligently to protect the
intellectual property of TEI's patented technologies. We expect to receive
full support from different levels of Chinese governments in protecting the
intellectual property, and helping TEI to overcome obstacles and reduce risks
in commercializing the relevant technologies and marketing the products in
China."
    China has 562 new coal-fired power plants slated to come on line in the
next eight years - half of the entire world's new planned capacity. This
compares to 213 new plants planned for India and 72 new coal-fired plants in
the U.S. over the same time frame. More than 80% of all China's power comes
from coal and 90% of all new power production planned in that country is based
on coal. Without aggressive NOx reduction, China and other Asian countries
will account for 22 million tons of NOx emissions a year by 2020 - equal to
almost 75% of the total world emissions of NOx from coal-fired power plants.
    South China University of Technology, one of China's key universities
operating under the direct leadership of the State Ministry of Education, is
situated in Guangzhou, a southern metropolis in China, near Hong Kong. SCUT
currently has over 44,500 students, including 10,300 master's degrees
candidates and doctoral candidates.
    "From our first meetings in China last December, the enthusiasm we
received from officials about our THERMALONOx(TM) technology made it clear
SCUT is not just an outstanding research and development partner, but is also
a very important partner to help us eventually market the applications for
this technology in China," said Thermal Energy Chief Technology Officer Robert
Triebe. "SCUT provides a research capacity and the resources (facilities and
personnel), which will help us accelerate our research and commercialization
of THERMALONOx(TM)."

    About Thermal Energy

    Thermal Energy International Inc. is an innovative technology company
providing custom energy and emission reduction, and bioenergy solutions.
Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, TEI is a designer, design build developer,
fabricator, and supplier of proprietary and patented energy conservation,
renewable energy and environmental technology solutions. Thermal Energy is a
fully accredited professional engineering firm, and offers advanced process
and applications engineering services. The Company is a proud member of the
Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). FLU-ACE(R), Dry-Rex(TM), THERMALONOx(TM) and
THERMALOZOMAx(TM) are trademarks of Thermal Energy International. GEM(R) is a
trademark used under exclusive license from Gardner Energy Management Ltd.

    For more information about Thermal Energy International Inc. (TSX-V:
TMG), visit our website at www.thermalenergy.com.

    THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT
    RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
    %SEDAR: 00007994E

For further information:

For further information: Stuart McCarthy, Thermal Energy International
Inc., Investor Relations and Communications, (613) 723-6776, x 220,
stuart.mccarthy@thermalenergy.com