SPOTLIGHT | FLUID QUIP TECHNOLOGIES: Reading The Rink

I grew up playing hockey and still try to hit the ice whenever I can. I’ve learned that hockey isn’t just about individual skill, it’s about reading plays before they develop, understanding how every position affects the ice and knowing when to pass versus when to shoot. Over time, I’ve realized these lessons translate perfectly to ethanol production. Just as a coach watches for mismatches and adjusts lines mid-game, reducing carbon intensity (CI) requires seeing how every process affects the whole operation. Every process is a player on the ice. A small adjustment in one area can create gains or cause disruptions elsewhere. CI isn’t just a number; it’s the plant’s scoreboard, reflecting energy efficiency, coproduct quality and operational performance.

Every Player Counts
Many technology solutions focus on a single area of the plant. Each of these processes is important, but they are only part of the game. A change in fermentation may improve ethanol yield but affect DDGS composition downstream. A distillation upgrade can reduce energy use while increasing load elsewhere, impacting coproduct quality or throughput. Without a view of the full plant, the benefits of these interventions can be limited or lost.

Read the full article from Ethanol Producer Magazine →