Biodiesel Off The Farm

Ralph spent years researching biodiesel technology. His approach was to understand the chemistry on an intimate level and consider how the technology could be commercialized. This led to his association with the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) who recognized him for his work in making Maine one of the first States in the nation to adopt the ASTM technical definition of Biodiesel into Law. He was invited to speak about that success before the NBB's Annual Conference in Palm Springs, CA in 2004. It was tough duty in February, but somebody had to do it. He continues to work on biodiesel technical issues as amember of the ASTM Boidiesel Task Force. He also continues to work on-and-off on legislative issues related to biodiesel.

In 2005 he was asked by the Erie Management Group (EMG), in Erie, PA to assist them in selecting a technology provider for a new state-of-the-art biodiesel plant that they had planned for an old International Paper Mill site in Erie that they purchased to redevelop into a green industrial park. Over the next 3 years Ralph worked with them to select the General Contractor and act as a technical coordinator to make sure the the technology provider and the general Contractor were coordinated in every aspect of the construction.

The technology Ralph helped EMG select for that plant was by Desmet Ballestra, the recognized world leader in oilseed processing, oleochemical, and biodiesel technology. Ralph and EMG selected elements of their technology to allow biodiesel to be manufactured from virtually any animal fat or vegetable oil. This flexible "multi-feeedstock" approach has allowed the plant to weather the economic downturn and remain profitable while many other biodiesel plants have failed. The plant was originally called Lake Erie Biofuels, but the name was recently changed to HeroBX. 

Visit the web sites referenced above and watch the video below to get a sense of what the biodiesel industry is about. You will notice Ralph listed as "ASTM Consultant" in the video.