Chippewa Valley Ethanol to save $700K per year in natural gas, via system upgrade

In Minnesota, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company in Benson is using a one-time energy upgrade grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to utilize energy produced by the plant’s regenerative thermal oxidizer.

The system heats the exhaust gases from the plant’s distillers dried grains production to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperatures break down the volatile organic compounds in the exhaust to meet air emissions standards. The $2 million investment that includes the $550,000 grant will save the facility $700,000 per year in natural gas costs.