Ohio biodiesel plant back on line, three months after explosion

April 15, 2008

BY Sarah Smith

Web exclusive posted April 18, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. CST

American Ag Fuels, rocked by an explosion at its biodiesel plant in January, resumed production April 15 at the expanded plant in Defiance, Ohio.

"We've had a great comeback and we're just now getting back into production," said American Ag Fuels Chief Executive Officer Steve Lankenau. The plant went from a capacity of less than 2 MMgy before the explosion to 7 MMgy. It will use multiple feedstocks, including soy oil, palm oil and choice white grease, Lankenau said.

"We have temporary loading facilities and we're in the process of rebuilding a permanent loading and unloading operation," he said. The Jan. 3 fire and explosion, which rocked the plant's loading facility and shattered windows in adjacent businesses, injured four people including a police officer responding. Lankenau said two of the three injured plant workers are back on the job. The third worker sought employment elsewhere but has recovered, he said. The police officer was treated for minor smoke inhalation, Lankenau said.

Fire officials believe glycerin vapors may have been ignited when a spark from the loading facility's overhead garage door triggered the freak incident. Several blocks were cordoned off, and a two-block area surrounding the plant was evacuated. Debris from the explosion rained down on adjacent power lines, which arced and caused a brief power outage. Numerous agencies responded and quickly contained the fire before it involved the glycerin tanks. Fire officials said the safety valves on the tanks operated as designed and prevented more serious damage.

Lankenau said the plant has been working with their insurance company and permitting officials to design and build a safer loading facility, which should be operational this summer, he said. It will be used to unload raw material and haul away finished material.

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