Raptor® Cleaning Service / Twin State Environmental plans to build a $3.6 million railcar cleaning facility in Grand Forks, ND by leasing five acres from Northern Plains Rail Services. The facility will utilize their robotic Raptor® tank cleaning system to clean cars carrying most any type of commodity including crude oil, asphalt, vegetable oils, fats, tallow and fertilizers without human entry into the car. Their Raptor® system greatly reduces cleaning time and eliminates the significant safety risks associated with workers entering railcars. While traditional cleaning can take days, the Raptor® system can clean most cars, including asphalt, in 2 to 3 hours.
Company leaders say the project will support local rail businesses, attract out-of-state railcars, and generate new sales tax revenue, particularly given North Dakota’s significant crude oil production and transport. The project is certified as a state primary sector business, and the technology allows recoverable oil to be cleaned and reused rather than treated as waste. Twin State Environmental also plans to apply for PACE funding through the city. If approved, the company aims to begin operations by September 1.
To read the full article, visit The Grand Forks Herald.