Integrity Biofuels closes in on start-up

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Shortly after large agricultural player Louis Dreyfus Corp. announced it had started construction of an 80 MMgy biodiesel plant in Indiana, a smaller producer is ready to come on line in the state.

Integrity Biofuels was charging its production system with water when Biodiesel Magazine talked with President Charles "Shorty" Whittington in early June. He was anticipating finished product leaving the Morristown, Ind., plant in mid-June, which put the project slightly ahead of schedule.

Whittington said the plant will initially produce 5 MMgy, then ramp up to 8 MMgy or 9 MMgy. However, Whittington said the plant wouldn't ramp up until the fuel quality was assured. "We're here for quality," he said.

The plant will be using refined soy oil from a nearby Bunge oilseed crushing facility. Whittington said it is one of the more modern soy crushers in the United States.
According to Whittington, the plant's load-out and tank storage is capable of ramping up to 30 MMgy, although reaction tanks would need to be added to reach that capacity. The facility was partially constructed in an existing building.

Whittington said in-house engineers designed the plant. "The biggest thing is automation," Whittington said. "We've spent considerable effort in programming." All motors in the facility have variable speed drives, Whittington said. This will allow the control center to maximize efficiency. The plant will also capture waste heat from the process and reclaim all excess methanol.

Morristown is located just east of Indianapolis in central Indiana. Louis Dreyfus began construction of its biodiesel facility in Claypool, 120 miles north of Indianapolis. Whittington said the Integrity Biofuels project isn't threatened by the Louis Dreyfus plant because of the expected construction timeframe for the Louis Dreyfus facility and the healthy biodiesel market. "Our quality and the market for our biodiesel will be well established," Whittington said. "We'll be able to run with the big boys."
A ribbon cutting will be held Aug. 1. "We hope to have a lot of gallons under our belt by then," he said.

More information on Integrity Biofuels can be found at www.integritybiofuels.com.
-Staff Report