October 24, 2012
BY Ron Kotrba
The November/December issue of Biodiesel Magazine is nearly complete, and I would like to share some of its contents with you.
The theme is split and the issue’s main focuses are centered on biodiesel plant safety and maintenance; and fuel additives for biodiesel and blends.
For the biodiesel fuel additives featured article, I requested to speak with all the major additive suppliers I could think of, and while a few of them ignored my interview requests, most responded and agreed to talk with me. I spoke with representatives of Eastman Chemical Co., Innospec, Infineum (a 50/50 joint venture between ExxonMobil and Shell that brought together both oil majors’ additive divisions), International Fuel Technology, Kemin Industries, Bell Performance and Amalgamated Inc. I also interviewed Magellan Mid-Stream Partners to discuss additization and terminal purchase requirements, testing and more. I spent three to four weeks interviewing these companies and, in some cases, re-interviewing them. The article focused on stabilizers and cold flow improvers, but at least one company, Infineum, recently added a biodiesel filterability additive to its product line, so I discuss that as well. I titled the article, “Keep Biodiesel Stable, Flowing & Growing,” and you can find it online and in print in a couple of weeks.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I also wrote another featured article on biodiesel plant maintenance, titled “Advice to Operate By.” I spoke with a global biodiesel process technology provider, a community-scale producer and veteran consultant Warren Barnes. The article highlights important maintenance practices for large, sophisticated production facilities and small, self-built producers. Some interesting aspects of the article include using your insurance agent to help mitigate risk; and determining the industry’s experience modifier and comparing that to your own plant’s to see where you stand. Doing these may provide plants with a strong case for either lowered insurance costs, or avoidance of future increases. Also, learn from a small producer’s experiences as far as what hoses, pipe fittings and pumps have, and have not, worked for him. Like he said, just because something says “biodiesel-compliant” doesn’t make it so.
Prof. Jon Van Gerpen from University of Idaho authored a Talking Point column for this print edition of Biodiesel Magazine on the topic of spontaneous combustion and the work he and others are conducting at the university to better understand the phenomenon. You won’t want to miss his column, “Spontaneous Combustion: An Overlooked Fire Source.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
“Biodiesel Industry: Regulated,” a feature-length contribution article from Nathan Vander Griend of ERI Solutions, also will be published in the November/December issue. Vander Griend discusses the importance of Process Safety Management protocols and OSHA and EPA regulations, which may seem burdensome but are enforced to keep plant personnel safe and improve this industry’s tarnished safety record.
Kurtis A. Greenley with Lindquist & Vennum authored this month’s Legal Perspectives column, titled, “Workplace Safety: Are Extraordinary Steps Financially Justified?”
Finally, the issue contains the latest happenings taking place at the National Biodiesel Board and a column from Chairman Gary Haer titled, “Industry Momentum Paves Way for Future Growth” in the four-page Inside NBB section; recent news and trends in the industry in our FrontEnd section; a look back at the past two month’s business dealings in Business Briefs; and my Editor’s Note called “Close the Books,” which reviews the trials and tribulations of the past year, and what we all have to look forward to in 2013.
Thanks for all of your continued support.