One of the problems ethanol and biodiesel have had is how to get their product from areas of production to areas of consumption. Pipelines help conventional, petroleum-based fuels, so it’s only natural that biofuels would need to adopt similar technology.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP has announced successful testing of ethanol through its 16-inch, 195-mile Central Florida Pipeline (CFP) system between Tampa and Orlando, Florida and the beginning of testing of a biodiesel pipeline in the Southeast U.S. This story in the Oil & Gas Journal has details:
It is finalizing mechanical modifications to the pipeline to offer ethanol transportation services to its customers by mid-November and is evaluating batched ethanol transport possibilities for other parts of its pipeline system.
The company says the short length of the pipeline will limit transmix.
CFP has segregated storage for the ethanol at the Orlando end of the pipeline. Total storage capacity is 546,000 bbl, contained in 28 tanks of 8,190 gal. – 80,000 bbl each. Land is available for expansion.
Kinder Morgan has completed more than $60 million in ethanol projects including modifications to tanks, truck racks, and related infrastructure for new or expanded ethanol service in the Southeast US and Pacific Northwest and has approved an additional $27 million for ethanol projects in the Southeast.
The company is also undertaking tests to assess commercial transportation of biodiesel through its pipelines, running blended B-5 biodiesel through a segment of its Plantation Pipe Line system between Collins, Miss. and Spartanburg, SC. The company expects test results by the end of October. It also is evaluating transporting biodiesel on its Portland-Eugene, Ore. line to support Oregon’s forthcoming biodiesel mandate.