Nova Biosource plant to resume production
January 1, 2009
BY Ryan C. Christiansen
Web exclusive posted Jan. 7, 2009, at 10:42 a.m. CST
Nova Biosource Fuels Inc. expects its 10 MMgy biodiesel plant in Clinton, Iowa, to be back on line in late January. On Sept. 30, a fire broke out at the plant in the primary biodiesel recovery column. Local firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was contained within the column.
According to Kenneth Hern, chairman and chief executive officer for Nova Biosource, the company has completed repairs to the facility, which has returned the refinery to a production-ready status, and has reviewed the fire protection systems and procedures to ensure that they are functioning properly.
"The repairs to the damaged equipment are now completed at a cost of less than $100,000," Hern said. "We are optimistic that the refinery will be functioning and ready to re-establish operations during early 2009."
While the Clinton plant was idled for repairs, the company's 60 MMgy Seneca, Ill., plant ramped up production. Hern said the Seneca plant recently surpassed producing 17 million gallons of ASTM D6751 quality biodiesel production. He said the refinery is currently operating between 50 and 70 percent if its nameplate capacity.
"Our objective at Seneca is to operate at consistent and steady production rates," Hern said, "while paying close attention to quality and inventory management to optimize margin protection."
Nova Biosource Fuels Inc. expects its 10 MMgy biodiesel plant in Clinton, Iowa, to be back on line in late January. On Sept. 30, a fire broke out at the plant in the primary biodiesel recovery column. Local firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, which was contained within the column.
According to Kenneth Hern, chairman and chief executive officer for Nova Biosource, the company has completed repairs to the facility, which has returned the refinery to a production-ready status, and has reviewed the fire protection systems and procedures to ensure that they are functioning properly.
"The repairs to the damaged equipment are now completed at a cost of less than $100,000," Hern said. "We are optimistic that the refinery will be functioning and ready to re-establish operations during early 2009."
While the Clinton plant was idled for repairs, the company's 60 MMgy Seneca, Ill., plant ramped up production. Hern said the Seneca plant recently surpassed producing 17 million gallons of ASTM D6751 quality biodiesel production. He said the refinery is currently operating between 50 and 70 percent if its nameplate capacity.
"Our objective at Seneca is to operate at consistent and steady production rates," Hern said, "while paying close attention to quality and inventory management to optimize margin protection."
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