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Clear Flame Engine Technology advancing

The chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB) says checkoff dollars are being used to advance technologies to convert diesel engines to run on ethanol.

Jon Rosenstiel, who farms in Stephenson County, tells Brownfield investments into Clear Flame Engine Technologies are paying off.

“At this point,” he says, “they actually have trucks on the road running on 98% pure ethanol.”

He says ICMB funded the initial research into Clear Flame, and earlier this year the company sold its first converted truck.

“They actually are based in Illinois, in around Chicago.”  He says, “You can maybe see a few of their trucks on the road where they’re doing some mileage tests.”

Rosenstiel says this is another way to increase corn demand.

“We’re just always looking for new original places for corn,” he says, “for us to grind corn and to use up our supply.”

He says the Clear Flame trucks provide the performance of a diesel but offer fuel cost savings and environmental benefits over traditional semis. 

AUDIO: John Rosenstiel – chairman of Illinois Corn Marketing Board