Director's Notes - Archives
June, 2009
Hello All,
I hope this message finds each and every one of you doing well.
Here is a weekly glimpse of what June 2009 had in store:
- June 1 – 5: The week was highlighted by collaborative research opportunities. Leading the way was a visit by Dan Claycamp of Mor Technology and Hans Stein of University of Illinois discussing a collaborative research proposal with the NCERC to evaluate swine performance when fed fractionated DDGS. Mor Technology would generate the fractionated corn feedstock, the NCERC would generate the fractionated DDGS and University of Illinois would conduct swine feeding trials. This type of collaborative research is what the founding fathers of the NCERC had in mind: i.e. NCERC collaborating with other research institutions (U of I) and partnering with industry (Mor Technology). Let’s hope funding is provided for this FANTASTIC research funding proposal.
- June 8 – 12: Sixteen persons participated in a week of Workforce Training focused on “The Fundamentals of Applied Ethanol Process Operations”. Included in the group of 16 were four interns sponsored by Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. The four interns will spend one year at the NCERC undergoing a comprehensive applied learning of ethanol process operations as well as ethanol plant analytics.
- June 15 – 19: The NCERC was well represented at the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop with speaking engagements, sessions moderated and an exhibit in the trade show area:
- Yan Zhang, Assistant Director Analytical Research: Yan was a featured speaker at the International Distillers Grains Conference on Monday June 15 to lead off the Fuel Ethanol Workshop.
- Sabrina Trupia, Assistant Director, Biological Research: Sabrina conducted a presentation on the profitability impact of a qualified analytical laboratory staff.
- Steph Regagnon, Assistant Director, Commercialization: Steph moderated a cellulosic session on biomass seed technology.
- Terry Lash, Senior Process Engineer: Terry represented the NCERC in the trade show exhibit area and networked to perfection.
- Brian Wrenn, Director of Research: Brian moderated a session on utilization and profitability of thin stillage.
- John Caupert, Director: John moderated two sessions, one on the economics of fractionation and a second session on profitability of new technologies in process operations.
- June 22 – 26: The NCERC was audited for “Compliance of the Southern Illinois University Management Act”. Under the “Southern Illinois University Management Act”, the SIU Board of Trustees is “required to operate and manage the NCERC as a state biorefining center of excellence”. The GREAT news to report is the auditor was VERY impressed with the detailed and organized materials presented by the NCERC Director, John Caupert. The auditor said, “If everyone provided this type of detail, auditing would be easy”.
May 2009 Omission: In the May 2009 report, I failed to mention the “Ethanol Operators School” held May 5 – 7, 2009 at the NCERC. The Operators School, conducted by Ethanol Technology, has become a shining example of the NCERC partnering with Industry to provide up-to-date information and training to ethanol plant operators and managers.
Until next time, have a good, productive and safe month.
Regards,
John Caupert
Director
National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center
Phone: 618-659-6737 Ext 226
Email: jcaupert@ethanolresearch.com
