A new year-long experiment by Amtrak will determine if beef-based biodiesel can efficiently run the Heartland Flyer passenger train between Oklahoma City and Ft. Worth, Texas, while reducing emissions.

Twenty percent of the train’s fuel is coming from tallow from Texas cattle, with the rest being standard fuel, reports the Associated Press. Previous engine tests showed that those running the B20 mixture produced less carbon monoxide and fewer particulates and sulfates.

"We can join energy (and) agriculture and protect the environment," Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Terry Peach said.

Biodiesel can react with rubber, however, so checks must be made for unusual wear that could damage the engine.

"At the end of this 12-month trial we'll go back and look at the engine assemblies and gaskets and valves and make sure there's no impact," said Roy Deitchman, Amtrak's vice president for environmental, health and safety issues. The railroad also will collect exhaust data. He added that the train line normally uses 100,000 gallons of fuel a year, so the experiment will save 20,000 gallons of fuel.

Source: Associated Press

Poultry plant reopens after 1,000-gallon ammonia leak

The Mehadrin Kosher Poultry plant in Exeter Township began processing chickens days after a leak in the chilling system caused 1,000 gallons of ammonia to leak. The plant began processing after an inspection by township and state Department of Environmental officials, said Irv Landow, company vice president.

The leak injured four workers and a firefighter, reports the Reading Eagle. Township fire officials said the chiller had not been properly maintained. The plant was closed through Wednesday while contractors repaired the equipment.

Wednesday morning, township fire crews returned to the plant when a second, smaller ammonia leak occurred because of faulty valves in the system, officials said. Landow said the repair crew will maintain the system.

On Monday, Berks County Judge Timothy J. Rowley approved a settlement that allowed the plant to continue operating if it paid $95,000 in overdue sewer bills. The company paid the bill. The deal also requires the plant to perform daily tests of its sewage discharge and obtain an industrial waste permit from the township.

Source: Reading Eagle

Tyson recognizes top suppliers

Six companies have been named winners in the fifth annual Tyson Foods Supplier of the Year awards program, the company reported today.

F&H Food Equipment, York Label, Newly Weds Foods and Kriz-Davis were each honored as "Supplier of the Year" in their respective supply categories. D&F Equipment was named “Contractor of the Year” and Carlson Wagonlit received the “Outstanding Travel Partner” award.

The awards were presented at a recent luncheon at Tyson World Headquarters, which was attended by Tyson President and CEO Donnie Smith, Chief Operating Officer Jim Lochner and Group Vice President Hal Carper. The recognition was based on continuous improvement contributions, performance surveys from Tyson locations, order fill rate and customer satisfaction performance, sales and technical support, ease of doing business and diversity support efforts.

“We value the relationships we have with all of our strategic suppliers and are especially proud of this year’s award winners,” said Carper. “These are suppliers that actively seek innovation and ways to promote efficiency. Their support helps us in our efforts to provide consistently superior protein products and services to our customers.”

F&H Food Equipment is a supplier of sanitary food processing equipment such as valves, fittings, pumps and tubing. F&H was founded in 1959 and is based in Springfield, Missouri. The employee-owned company has been doing business with Tyson for 40 years.

York Label is the third largest producer of prime, pressure sensitive labels in the U.S. The Omaha-based company has partnered with Tyson’s in-house print shop and serves as the central clearinghouse for all incoming orders from Tyson plant locations. York also received the Supplier of the Year award in 2005.

Newly Weds Foods is a global leader in food ingredient technology with a global network of research and development, manufacturing and service facilities. The Chicago-based company began supplying batters and breading in the 1950’s, two decades after the company originated as a purveyor of cake rolls and English muffins.

D&F Equipment, of Crossville, Alabama, has been a contractor partner to Tyson for many years, primarily performing millwright and fabrication for company facilities. D&F has also expanded its services to Tyson by also providing process engineering and parts fabrication.

Kriz-Davis was founded in 1945 in Grand Island, Nebraska, and has been a Tyson supply partner for more than two decades. The company specializes in electric equipment and supplies and also provides maintenance and training assistance.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) provides business travel management. Present in more than 150 countries, CWT serves companies of all sizes, as well as government institutions and non-governmental organizations. CWT is owned by Carlson, a Minneapolis-based hospitality and travel company.

Source: Tyson Foods Inc.