Blog

by: Lori Ditoro
07/23/2021

FEW 2021: First In-Person, Post-COVID Event for Many



 

The International Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW 2021) was held in Des Moines, Iowa, July 13 through July 15. Attendees experienced in-person interaction, networking, and education … many for the first time in more than 18 months. Des Moines offered a cozy and beautiful location for ethanol-minded folks to regather.

few 2021 des moines, Iowa
A beautiful pedestrian bridge leads to Hy-Vee Hall where FEW 2021 was held.

FEW 2021 Opening Session & Keynote

During the opening session, Tom Bryan, president of BBI International and editor of Ethanol Producer Magazine, presented two awards:

  • The High Octane Award, which acknowledges a person who has helped the industry progress over time
  • BBI’s Award of Excellence, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities
FEW 2021 Opening Session Keynotes
During the opening session, Tom Bryan, president of BBI International and editor of Ethanol Producer Magazine, presented the High Octane Award, which acknowledges a person who has helped the industry progress over time, and BBI’s Award of Excellence, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the fuel ethanol industry through their research, technical advisory and/or development activities.

Steve Markham, director of risk at CHS Inc., was awarded the High Octane Award. Kurt Rosentrater, executive director and CEO of the Distillers Grains Technology Council and associate professor at Iowa State University’s Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, received the Award of Excellence.

Keynote

During his keynote, Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, detailed activities around ethanol by the Trump and Biden administrations. Both saw the benefits of ethanol. One benefit is that it releases up to 50% fewer emissions than gasoline. Cooper also discussed ethanol as a readily available energy source to reduce emissions as electric vehicle production ramps up.

Exhibit Hall

During FEW 2021, the SEPCO team exhibited for this first time. The team networked with ethanol industry experts and fellow exhibitors.

SEPCO Team FEW 2021
SEPCO team from left to right: Chris Wilder, CEO; Terry Roberts, regional manager; Woody Nepa, engineering consultant; Lori Ditoro, marketing manager

In addition, the team featured its successful ethanol sealing system. The system includes a dual rotary pumper mechanical seal, high-performance synthetic barrier fluid, and a seal tank to provide cool barrier fluid to the seal. Part of this system’s success depends on the precision installation of the seal and its environmental controls.

Ethanol sealing system
This ethanol sealing system displayed at the booth received positive attention from attendees. This systems approach to evaporator pump seal failures has extended seal life from 15 months to 37 months.

Water in Ethanol Presentation

On the last day of the event, experts discussed the importance of water. The presentations included treatment, evaporation, and conservation within the ethanol industry.

FEW 2021 Suez WTS water treatment presentation
Robert Hendel from Suez WTS talks water treatment.

One of the presenters, Terry Roberts discussed a systems approach to mechanical seal failures in evaporator pumps.

FEW 2021 Ethanol Systems Approach
Terry Roberts details a systems approach to mechanical seal failures.

Other presenters included Suez WTS; Nalco, an Ecolab Company, and Barr Engineering.

FEW 2021 water presentation
Presenters from left to right: Andrea Collier, Barr Engineering; Jeff Prochaska, Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company; Terry Roberts, SEPCO; Robert Hendel, Suez WTS

The End of a Great Event

Looking forward to 2022, our team is excited to attend FEW again.

FEW 2021 SEPCO Team picture
Thank you to everyone who attended FEW 2021. We loved being there with you and look forward to seeing you all next year in Minneapolis.

 

About the Author
Lori Ditoro joined SEPCO in November 2018 as content marketing manager. Before that, she was content marketing strategist for Fluke Accelix; editorial director of the Process Flow Network, publishers of Water Technology, Processing, and Flow Control; editor of Pumps & Systems; and editor of Upstream Pumping. In her roles, Ditoro has learned about the process and manufacturing industries and the equipment and technology that keep plants and other facilities operating. She also developed a passion for telling the operators' and technicians' stories. She may be reached at lorid@sepco.com.

From the Blog