Advanced reburning (AR) is effective for nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) reduction, which integrates the basic reburning (BR) with the injection of nitrogen agents and additive compounds. The basic reburning of poplar, cornstalk, wheatstraw and peanut shell, is studied on a boiler simulator facility (BSF). The influence of operating parameters and the synergistic effect of the injection of ammonia, urea or/and sodium carbonate on NO(x) reduction are investigated. The results show that an efficiency of 54-67% NO(x) reduction could be achieved during the basic reburning process under the optimum operating conditions and the efficiency would be increased if nitrogen agent is injected with the over-fire air or into the burnout zone. Further, co-injection of sodium carbonate with the nitrogen agent could make the NO(x) reduction process more thorough. On the whole, 85-92% NO(x) reduction could be achieved during the advanced reburning process with a reburning fuel heat input of 15-20%. (C) 2010 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.