Greenleaf Biofuels built its biodiesel production plant within the fuel storage tank farm of New Haven Harbor in Connecticut to provide easy access to truck, rail, barge and deep-water vessel delivery points.Electrical and electronic devices suitable for use in hazardous areas.
Additional process protection measures include ongoing operator training and a robust process control system designed to assist operators in maintaining the safe and efficient production of biodiesel.
To ensure Greenleaf operators have accurate, timely process information presented in easy to interpret, easy to use graphical displays, Emerson Process Management DeltaV operator stations were implemented using human-centered design (HCD) practices, and standardized dynamos embedded in the DeltaV digital automation system. Rooted in military and international standards, HCD graphic displays use:
- Contrasting colors to bring immediate focus on critical operational information including alarms, status, trends, process and efficiency information.
- Standardized dashboards that allow operators to interact with a variety of field devices in a consistent manner.
- Instant operator access to detailed textual alarm help (i.e., probable causes, recommended actions, and likely consequences).
The HCD graphics and embedded dynamos are designed to provide each shift of operators with accurate, timely and easy to interpret process information so that the process operates at maximum efficiency and none of the protection systems become active.
Every Day a Best Day
Every continuous process consists of measured variables, some of which are directly controlled, others provide indication of overall process performance. Each of these variables, and especially the controlled variables, have an ideal range - the range that when maintained, maximizes overall production efficiency. This sort of efficiency is sometimes referred to as the "golden run," the result of the best operator on their best day, and is the ultimate goal of every production and plant manager around the world.
(The global energy future – Part 3)
Greenleaf Biofuels and JatroDiesel fully recognized that installing a robust process automation system, one that could provide operators with timely and relevant information, would help achieve the goal of having golden runs in the New Haven plant every day. By combining well-trained operators with a well-designed process automation system that includes optimized control algorithms and provides operators with past, present and anticipated future process knowledge, Greenleaf Biofuels is well on its way to maximizing its production efficiencies.
On Track to 10 Million
Slightly more than a year after breaking ground, permitting, construction, inspections, initial employee hiring and training are complete and the facility is on target toward producing 10 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
During a tour of the plant, State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney said, "We are thrilled that this facility is located here because we see it in many ways as the cutting edge wave of future energy projects. Biodiesel is an exciting opportunity and we hope it will grow and expand. It is a clean and safe energy source that will help us move toward energy independence."
When Rudolph Diesel invented the diesel engine in the 1890s, he envisioned it being powered by peanut oil. Greenleaf Biofuels is proud to be contributing to the fulfillment of Diesel's vision.
