Jinzhong Chengnan Biomass CHP and Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage Project：Large-Diameter Automatic Self-Cleaning Filters
Introduction: UNITE has completed the manufacture and pressure testing of multiple large-diameter automatic self-cleaning filters custom-engineered for the Jinzhong Chengnan Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage Integration EPC Project. The units have now been dispatched to site, where they will support reliable water treatment and equipment protection across this major renewable integrated-energy development.
UNITE has formally delivered a batch of large-diameter fully automatic self-cleaning filters for the Jinzhong Chengnan Biomass CHP and Seasonal Thermal Energy Storage Integration EPC Project. Following the completion of manufacturing and pressure-testing inspections, the custom-built equipment has been shipped to the project site for installation and commissioning.
The project is a key regional renewable-energy EPC development that combines biomass cogeneration with large-scale geothermal seasonal heat storage and recovery. Its planned facilities include two 100 t/h circulating fluidized-bed boilers, two 7.5 MW back-pressure steam turbine generator sets, a geothermal cross-season thermal storage and extraction system, flue-gas waste-heat recovery, and a district-heating primary substation. With a total heating capacity of 194.68 MW, the project is designed to provide stable, efficient heat and power through an integrated renewable-energy system.
Designed for High-Flow Thermal and Geothermal Water Circuits
The UNITE filters will be installed in the district-heating circulating-water network and geothermal heat-storage and recovery loops. Their primary role is to remove sand, rust, suspended solids, and corrosion-related debris carried by the water. By intercepting these contaminants before they enter sensitive downstream equipment, the filtration systems help protect heat exchangers, heat-pump units, circulating pumps, spray nozzles, and other critical components.
This protection is particularly important in high-flow thermal systems, where suspended solids can contribute to plate heat-exchanger blockage, abrasion, fouling, and reduced heat-transfer performance. The project’s geothermal storage and recovery circuit reaches a maximum circulation flow of 5,200 m³/h, creating a demanding operating environment in which reliable, continuous filtration is essential.
Equipment Configuration
The supplied units are brush-type, fully automatic self-cleaning filters configured for large-diameter flanged piping systems. Each filter features a Q355B steel housing with anti-corrosion treatment, supporting a design pressure of 1.6 MPa and providing durability for northern China’s outdoor operating conditions.
The filters are fitted with 316L stainless-steel wedge-wire screens, which offer strong resistance to hydraulic scouring and can be repeatedly regenerated through online cleaning. The design combines differential-pressure and time-based cleaning triggers, enabling the system to initiate automatic cleaning according to actual screen loading or scheduled operating intervals. Importantly, the self-cleaning process is performed online without interrupting system flow.
| Item | Configuration |
| Equipment type | Large-diameter fully automatic self-cleaning filter, brush type |
| Connection size | Large-diameter DN-series flanged connections |
| Housing design pressure | 1.6 MPa |
| Housing material | Q355B steel with anti-corrosion treatment |
| Filter element | 316L stainless-steel wedge-wire screen |
| Cleaning control | Differential-pressure and timer dual-trigger online self-cleaning |
| Process continuity | Cleaning without flow interruption |
| Electrical control | Local PLC control with alarm outputs and DCS integration capability |
Solving Critical Operating Challenges
The project presents three core filtration challenges. First, the high-volume geothermal circulation system can carry sand and solid contaminants that may clog or accelerate wear in heat-exchanger plates and heat-pump equipment. Second, the CHP and district-heating operation requires year-round continuity; conventional filters that must be opened and manually cleaned would introduce avoidable maintenance shutdowns and operational risk. Third, the outdoor northern-climate installation requires dependable corrosion protection for the filter housing and robust electrical protection for the control system.
UNITE’s automatic self-cleaning filter solution addresses these conditions through continuous online filtration, automated contaminant discharge, and a configuration designed for remote operational visibility. The local PLC system provides alarm outputs and can be integrated with the project’s distributed control system (DCS), supporting centralized monitoring and coordinated operation.
“For integrated biomass CHP and thermal-storage projects, filtration is a critical layer of protection for stable heat delivery and generation performance. The system must manage high circulation flows and changing water quality without creating maintenance-related interruptions.”
Supporting Reliable Renewable-Energy Operation
Once commissioned, the filtration systems are expected to enable 24-hour unattended operation with automatic online cleaning and blowdown. The units eliminate the need for routine shutdowns to dismantle and clean filter elements, helping the project reduce maintenance effort and avoid unplanned service interruptions.
By maintaining cleaner circulating water, the filters will help mitigate the risk of heat-transfer-surface fouling and blockage while supporting the reliable performance of heat pumps, heat exchangers, pumps, and valves. This protection contributes to the long-term, stable delivery of both district heat and electricity from the biomass CHP and seasonal thermal-energy-storage system.
The delivery demonstrates UNITE’s capability to provide engineered, large-diameter automatic filtration solutions for complex energy-infrastructure applications, including district heating, geothermal utilization, industrial circulating water, and renewable integrated-energy projects.
About UNITE
UNITE provides industrial filtration solutions for water and process-liquid applications. Its product portfolio includes automatic self-cleaning filters designed to protect critical equipment and support continuous operation in district-heating, geothermal, power-generation, industrial-water, and process-system applications.
Media / Project Enquiries: Please contact UNITE for technical specifications, application engineering support, or project information.
Project information and technical configuration are based on materials supplied by UNITE.
