Topic: Trip to Castle Rock Ethanol (Read 539 times)

Jonny Energy · « **on:** February 05, 2010, 09:35:33 PM »

Took a trip to Castle Rock Ethanol Plant today for a quick tour and to meet the CRE team.
Never saw an ethanol plant up close and give kudos to what these American workers do. The plant turns out close to 150,000 gallons of Ethanol a day. And boy oh boy what a site the dried distillers grain is. I will post pictures tomorrow.

FYI My converted 2006 Ford Escape 4 Cyl got a nice 21.5 MPGs on E85. Sticker for gas is 23. Only a 6.5% loss in MPGs on this 500 mile round trip.

furball64801 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2010, 02:23:31 PM »

Quote from: 1outlaw on February 06, 2010, 05:49:17 PM

Johnny- you should have run hwy 21 east to Oshkosh on 2 lane road instead of running interstate-- just think of all the E85 you could have saved going 60 instead of 70-75 on Interstate 90-94. Then you could have seen me too And bought some cheap E85

Hopefully Castle Rock will be doing something to get some pumps around their area, eh?

I used to run highway 21 all the time going to Mt. Morris what a small world. I dont call those highways but they did in those days.

Jonny Energy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2010, 11:02:24 PM »

I'll talk to them to see if they are interested. They are going to work with their employees but not sure how. Didn't ask many questions about where the E85 will be coming from. I know there is a couple pumps about 20 miles each way from there. It would be nice if they can get a pump right on 80.
I know they work and talked with other Ethanol plants and really don't consider it competition.

1outlaw · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2010, 10:09:12 PM »

None of us have trouble selling rail cars and truuck ethanol- It is just a matter of what price and what you want tomorrow to look like.

They surely must be planning on putting in at least a "fleet fueling" pump at the plant so their employees can use your kits. Other than the issues in doing retail and the additional cost for equipment and suitable site-- the state is no more a hassle with inspections and requirements with a retail pump than with a legal "fleet" pump. If you get to a comfortable relationship with them - have them call me- I can walk them thru it with pretty much the pros/cons, costs, items to consider, etc. Heck- I would even go see them if it helps.

The way I see it-they are not competition- they can support the overall E85 network for better public awareness and use- there are too many towns and areas w/o E85.

Jonny Energy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2010, 09:17:46 PM »

I know they are debating it but not that happy with dealing with all the red tape in the state.
I was told they never have a prob selling their Ethanol. They have the rail cars lined up.

Since this was a back and fourth one day trip I had to take the fastest way. Hopefully I start making some more trips and can stop and say what's up!

1outlaw · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2010, 05:49:17 PM »

Johnny- you should have run hwy 21 east to Oshkosh on 2 lane road instead of running interstate-- just think of all the E85 you could have saved going 60 instead of 70-75 on Interstate 90-94. Then you could have seen me too

And bought some cheap E85

Hopefully Castle Rock will be doing something to get some pumps around their area, eh?

Jonny Energy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2010, 03:12:34 PM »

Its FWD. The trip there and back was a snowy one with the temps in the upper 20s. First time I have taken it out on a long hwy trip. Figuring out city driving with a ton of stop n go is tricky. I'd say between 10%-15% loss as it is always varying. Sticker shows 20 City 23 HWY
Keep in mind also that this isn't a hybrid

Billyk · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2010, 02:29:50 PM »

Johnny, is your 2006 Escape FWD only or capable of 4WD? I am aware of an individual with a 2005 Escape Hybrid with a conversion kit that has gotten anywhere from 20 mpg to 29 mpg on E85. Naturally, the colder winter weather will drop the mileage.

fleebut · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2010, 08:02:52 AM »

Ya, I noticed long trip on E-85 with warm engine the mpg pretty close to unleaded. Sometimes a tank full required to settle down the fuel engine maps. Cold engine short trips, just the opposite. But, new engines technology, designed for ethanol would improve the power and mpgs? The kits help, I'm told, as you know.