Ariel Compressors Installed in Newest Ohio CNG Station

ORRVILLE, Ohio, Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith Dairy Products, a family owned business in Orrville, Ohio began researching the benefits of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel two years ago.

"Smith Dairy started to look at how volatile the diesel market really is, and how it's something that they would like to have more control over," explained Smith Dairy's Project Manager, Rebekah Shipper.

On August 29, 2012, Smith Dairy opened their privately funded CNG station. The canopied station, constructed by Vocational Energy, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The station will be open to the public and will play a critical role in helping Smith Dairy reach their long-term goal of becoming diesel independent.

"We have a lot of expansion plans. We have the six CNG dedicated Freightliners that have been on the road for over a month now, with plans for more in the future. The goal is to be diesel independent by the year 2030," said Shipper.

At the heart of the station are two Ariel JGQ, two-throw, four stage reciprocating compressors. Packaged by ANGI Energy Systems, the Ohio manufactured Ariel compressors are responsible for compressing the natural gas, which is brought in through a Dominion gas pipeline. After being compressed upwards of 4,500 psi, the gas is transferred to the fuel tanks on the dedicated CNG vehicles.

"It was great to be a part of the Smith Dairy Project," said Robert Drews, Director of Marketing for Ariel Corporation. "Their leadership with transportation and switching over from diesel fueled vehicles to CNG is a great step for Smith Dairy, for the state of Ohio and for the transportation industry. Ariel brings an incredible history of reliable compression to that marketplace, with nearly forty-thousand compressors shipped with tens of thousands of hours of operation."

In addition to manufacturing this vital equipment for Smith Dairy, Ariel provided industry knowledge and engineering support based on over 40 years of natural gas compression expertise.

"We've had a great experience working with Ariel. They've been supportive of every step along the way - everything from our educational forums where they've come and been on panels to answer questions on CNG and how to get into the game, to questions about the compressors," said Shipper. "They've been really helpful as we've had questions ourselves about putting in the station. They've been fantastic to work with."

Through the completion of its CNG station, Smith Dairy hopes to introduce and inspire other companies who may be interested in making the switch from diesel.

"The one thing that we've noticed is that a lot of people think CNG is a good idea, but everyone is kind of like 'Well you do it first, and then we'll come alongside of you!'.  So, Smith Dairy has taken a lot of those questions and worries off the table by putting in a CNG station. They've committed to running on CNG and offering it to the public," explained Shipper.

For more information regarding CNG and Ariel compressors, visit www.arielcorp.com/cng or watch our video at www.arielcorp.com/SmithDairyCNG/

About Ariel:

Ariel Corporation is a World Class, American manufacturer of reciprocating compression solutions. Founded in 1966 in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Ariel compressors are operated worldwide by the gas, oil, petrochemical and process industries. Ariel is recognized today as the world standard in gas compression and is shaping the future of the global compression industry by addressing emerging energy and environmental challenges.

SOURCE Ariel Corporation