Madison Area Technical College engineering students presented their class project, a biodiesel blending system, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison last month. Apache Stainless Equipment Corp. donated the stainless storage tank used in the project, and the biodiesel system will also be shown at collegiate fairs and educational outreach events.

The Madison College engineering students were tasked with developing a system that was capable of blending biodiesel with petro-diesel and fuel additives for improved performance in extreme seasonal temperatures. The students also had to design around safety, transportability, power and budget constraints. Apache was one of several equipment manufacturers to donate components to the project.

“Apache is committed to build strong community ties where we live, work and go to school,” said Ed Paradowski, Apache president, “being part of this project not only helps Madison College engineering students, it also helps with the overall promotion of education in the field of fabrication and manufacturing.”

As a group, students engineered the blending system from start to finish. Apache supplied a 60-gallon, pickle passivated stainless tank with a vent fitting according their design and specifications. The welding, fabrication, plumbing and electrical was all accomplished by the engineering students at Madison College.

Apache serves the biofuel industry with many types of specialized tanks, including distillation columns, evaporators, ASME vessels, API-650 Vessels, clad vessels, custom mix tanks and storage tanks. The Apache facility in Beaver Dam, Wis., is fully equipped with machines and processes for shearing, forming, welding, rolling and in-house head making. The company also provides finishing capabilities, including automated mechanical polishing, electropolishing and passivation. Another facility in Plover, Wis., produces carbon steel tanks and equipment.