Date: May 14, 2018
Location: South Bend, Indiana (USA)
Address: 3201 W Calvert Street, 46613
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Ethanol Production
Equipment: Dryer Unit
Company: South Bend Ethanol LLC.
Previous Database Incidents: None Reported
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Mercuria Investments US currently owns South Bend Ethanol LLC. Mercuria purchased the facility from Noble Americas in January 2018. The plant produces 65 million gallons of ethanol per year as well as dry distillers grains, corn oil, and carbon dioxide that is sold locally. Upon purchasing the facility Mercuria plans to spend $30 Million on improvements including replacing boilers and fermenters and installing new heat exchanges, dryers, and oil separation equipment.
Grain Dryer Fire Description:
On May 14, 2018 WSBT 22 reported a fire at the South Bend Ethanol facility in South Bend, Indiana. The fire started at 10am in a dryer unit at the facility. No injuries were reported and it is reported that firefighters were able to control the fire quickly. Limited information on the cause of the incident or overall damages are available.
Previous Incidents:
A previous fire at the ethanol production facility was reported by WNDU16 on August 13, 2015. Officials stated that corn meal caught fire and several ons of the product needed to be cleaned up. ABC News reported that the fire was contained to one of the rolling steam dryers for pressed corn and that the fire was mostly extinguished by safety systems inside the facility.
Related Companies: None
Sources:
WSBT 22
WNDU16
ABC News
Keywords: Ethanol Production, Grain Dryer, Cornmeal
