A novel resource utilization of the calcium-based semi-dry flue gas desulfurization ash is investigated. In the present study, the semi-dry desulfurization ash is used as a reductant for chromium and vanadium removal by chemical reduction precipitation, the byproduct gypsum and chromium-contained sludge are obtained. Besides, the effects of main operational parameters (reaction pH, desulfurization ash dosage and reaction time) on the heavy metal removal are investigated, and the main reaction mechanism for this treatment technology is also proposed. Under the optimal conditions, the residual concentrations of Cr(VI), total Cr and V are 0.163 mg/L, 0.395 mg/L and 0.155 mg/L, respectively. Additionally, byproduct gypsum and chromium-contained sludge are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and thermogravimetry differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), respectively. Finally, the resource utilization methods of the byproduct gypsum and chromium-contained sludge from this technology are also submitted. The byproduct gypsum can be utilized to produce hemihydrate calcium sulfate whisker, and the roasted heavy metal precipitation can be used as a primary chromium raw material (Cr2O3 content is about 83%). (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.