Installation Completed for a 1,500 m³ Double-Membrane Gas Holder
A 1,500 m³ double-membrane gas holder was recently installed at the Xifeng Liquor distillery in Baoji, Shaanxi Province, and passed its gas-tightness acceptance test. The gas holder collects and stores biogas generated during the treatment of distillery wastewater, enabling its recovery and use as an energy source.
Recently, a 500 m³ biogas balloon constructed by Qingdao Haiyue Membrane Structure Co., Ltd. for a biological wastewater treatment project in Dezhou, Shandong, was successfully installed and passed the gas-tightness test on the first attempt. This milestone marks the full completion of the project’s biogas collection and storage system, laying a solid foundation for subsequent biogas utilization, including power generation and heating.
1. Project Overview
Xifeng Liquor’s production process generates substantial quantities of wastewater and distillers’ grains. The high-strength wastewater requires anaerobic treatment, which produces biogas. Previously, a lack of suitable storage meant that much of this biogas was simply burned off or vented.
To address this issue, the distillery installed a 1,500 m³ double-membrane gas holder. Despite overlapping construction and production activities and a tight schedule, the installation team followed the required procedures to complete the foundation, bottom membrane, inner membrane, outer membrane, and control system. The installation was completed successfully and passed acceptance testing.
Baijiu production generates large volumes of high-strength organic wastewater and distillers’ grains, and anaerobic treatment can yield considerable quantities of biogas. Previously, this biogas was largely disposed of through direct combustion or flaring, resulting in poor energy utilization and associated carbon emissions.
To address this challenge, the project incorporated a 1,500 m³ double-membrane gas holder for buffer storage and constant-pressure biogas delivery. During installation, the project team overcame challenges including simultaneous construction and production activities and a demanding schedule. Every stage—from foundation anchoring and bottom membrane placement to inner membrane installation, outer membrane tensioning, and integrated commissioning of the intelligent control system—was carried out in strict accordance with established procedures. The installation milestone was completed to a high standard, earning strong praise from the client.stant outlet pressure during operation, without requiring the water-seal system or winter anti-freezing facilities used by traditional wet gas holders.
2. What Is a Double-Membrane Gas Holder?
A double-membrane gas holder is a flexible gas storage system widely used in biogas projects, wastewater treatment, food waste treatment, and distillery wastewater applications. It comprises three membrane components:
- Outer membrane: Made from a high-strength coated fabric resistant to UV exposure and aging, the outer membrane is maintained at a controlled inflation pressure to retain a stable spherical shape and withstand weather conditions such as wind, rain, and snow.
- Inner membrane: Rises and falls as the stored biogas volume changes, keeping the biogas fully separated from the air chamber beneath the outer membrane.
- Bottom membrane: Anchored and sealed to the foundation to ensure the gas-tightness of the entire system.
The supporting air layer between the inner and outer membranes is automatically regulated by an intelligent blower and pressure control system, maintaining a stable external shape and consistent gas delivery pressure. This eliminates the water seal and winter freeze-protection measures required by conventional wet-seal gas holders.
3. Project Significance
Baoji, home to Xifeng Liquor, has continued to promote the green transformation of traditional industries in recent years. Once the project’s 1,500 m³ double-membrane gas holder enters service, all biogas generated by the distillery’s anaerobic treatment unit will be recovered for on-site boiler heating and electricity generation, replacing fossil fuels such as natural gas.
The project will establish a closed loop of “wastewater treatment—biogas recovery—energy reuse,” delivering both environmental and economic benefits and serving as a model for biogas utilization in the baijiu industry.
Haiyue has long specialized in the research, development, and manufacture of equipment for biogas storage and resource recovery. Its product range includes double-membrane gas holders with capacities from 50 to 5,000 m³, widely used in baijiu production, wastewater treatment, livestock farming, food waste treatment, and wastewater treatment for alcohol and starch production.
Building on this project, the company will continue to provide more customers with safe, efficient, and cost-effective gas storage solutions.
Conclusion
The installation and successful gas-tightness testing of the 1,500 m³ double-membrane gas holder at Xifeng Liquor mark an important step toward improved biogas recovery and utilization. The system provides buffer storage and stable gas delivery for biogas generated during wastewater treatment. Once operational, it will support energy reuse within the distillery, helping reduce fossil fuel consumption and improve resource efficiency.