Today's paper | eEdition | Subscribe
The Truth-O-Meter
Latest print edition
St. Petersburg Times
Business: Energy & Utilities
Special report
Video report
Multimedia report
Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Your name Your email
Recipient email
You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code
Hear
validation
code
  Enter validation code

Central Florida Pipeline to carry first ethanol flow

By Asjylyn Loder, Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, April 15, 2008


Ethanol arrives by rail to Kinder Morgan at the Port of Tampa on Monday. The port has 170,000 barrels of ethanol storage.
Ethanol arrives by rail to Kinder Morgan at the Port of Tampa on Monday. The port has 170,000 barrels of ethanol storage.
[BRIAN CASSELLA | Times]
Social Bookmarking
Digg Facebook Stumbleupon
Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine
ADVERTISEMENT

Florida will soon be home to the nation's first ethanol pipeline.

The 104-mile Central Florida Pipeline has carried gasoline from the Port of Tampa to the Orlando International Airport since 1965. Workers have been upgrading the 16-inch pipeline in preparation for its first batch of ethanol, slated for the third quarter of this year.

The booming U.S. ethanol industry is watching the project closely. If successful, it could lead to a boom in ethanol pipeline projects nationwide, since shipping by pipeline is significantly cheaper than shipping by train, barge or truck.

"It's a test for us, and everybody else, to see if we can make it work," said Joe Hollier, spokesman for Kinder Morgan. "It will be a big advantage if we are able to move ethanol by pipeline, obviously."

Kinder Morgan's Central Florida Pipeline Co. has already begun cleaning the pipeline and replacing seals, gaskets, pumps and other equipment. Kinder Morgan, based in Houston, is one of the largest pipeline and terminal operators in the United States. The company plans regular shipments by the end of the year.


ABOUT THE ETHANOL

Largely from the Midwest, the ethanol will get to Florida by barge, truck and rail. Kinder Morgan has 170,000 barrels of ethanol storage at Port of Tampa, and 30,000 barrels of storage at the Orlando airport.

ABOUT THE PIPELINE

It's about 104 miles from the Port of Tampa to the Orlando airport, 16 inches in diameter and has been carrying gasoline since 1965.

HOW IT WORKS

The Central Florida Pipeline Co. plans to send both ethanol and gasoline through the pipeline in batches. As long as pressure is maintained on the line, the two fuels won't blend.


[Last modified: Apr 21, 2008 11:14 AM]



Comments on this article
by David Apr 21, 2008 11:14 AM
Ethanol: Conceived by the corn lobby and ADM. This is the single stupidest idea that Florida has had recently. Do not encourage ethanol production, as it is a fuel that simply doesn't work. Less power, less mpg, but more $$ for the corn lob
by Tom Apr 18, 2008 4:26 PM
Ethanol? I hope that this is not being government funded. Ethanol is nothing more than government pandering to the uneducated.
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.

Email Newsletters

ADVERTISEMENT

 
ADVERTISEMENT