Pro Petroleum creates automated loading rack

By Hope Deutscher | March 17, 2008
Two years ago when Phoenix-based fuel supplier Pro Petroleum Inc. began splash-blending biodiesel for its own use, company Director of Operations Mike Mathers was opposed to switching to the renewable fuel. Later, he became a proponent of biodiesel, which led to the company's "state-of-the-art" automated tank truck loading rack that allows the company's 43 trucks to refuel quickly and accurately. Pro Petroleum is now the largest supplier of biodiesel in the state.

"About a year ago, I went to all the big names I was aware of in the fuel-dispenser industry and said I want a pump that lets me basically dial in a specific blend," Mathers said. "The feedback I got from the representatives of all these companies was, 'We don't have something that does that for biodiesel or diesel.'" So Mathers bought control valves and meters to tie into the load rack automation system, and by the summer of 2007, biodiesel was being injection-blended on-site with the terminal automation system controlling it.

For tax purposes, the company recently switched from a maximum blend of B100 to B99.9. "Typically, all of our blends are between B2 and B20, with B20 being the most popular recipe," Mathers said.

Pro Petroleum operates a transportation fleet of 43 trucks, which all run on B20.
 
 
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