February 16, 2007 Mr. Ron Scherbring MinnErgy, LLC Eyota, MN Dear Ron:
Exhibit 10.17
U.S. Water Services (LOGO)
February 16, 2007
Xx. Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx
MinnErgy, LLC
Eyota, MN
MinnErgy, LLC
Eyota, MN
Dear Xxx:
This document serves as the service agreement between US Water Services and MinnErgy, LLC for the
50 MMgy ethanol plant to be located in Eyota, MN. Signing the service agreement shows the
MinnErgy, LLC’s intent to utilize US Water Services as the water treatment supplier. Signing the
LOI will allow US Water Service to commit to the necessary resources and equipment.
If US Water Services satisfactorily performs the engineering services and analytical support work
required during the design build process as detailed in Appendix A with a value of over $78,000 if
purchased through an outside consulting engineering company, US Water Services will expect to
partner with MinnErgy, LLC for a long term water treatment chemicals and services. Appendix B
shows the standard water treatment services agreement we will present when all the water and
equipment information is known. If US Water Services does not satisfactorily perform the services
detailed in Appendix A, MinnErgy, LLC has no obligation to continue to utilize our services.
We would like a level of commitment from MinnErgy, LLC to show that the intention to utilize US
Water Services as the water treatment company is a valid assumption. US Water Services is
commitment to be competitive with other suppliers of similar services and equipment.
Printed Name |
||||
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx | 4/11/07 | |||
Printed Name, Title, Date | ||||
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | 2/16/07 | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
Ethanol Team Leader - USWS | ||||
U.S. Water Services (LOGO)
Appendix A
The below services are essential to the design, construction and operation of a new ethanol
plant. These services can take up to 500 engineering hours to complete depending on the complexity
of the water and environmental discharge and capital equipment. The services shall be provided
throughout the scope of the project including but not limited to the detailed listing below. The
value of the services and products supplied as part of this agreement have a market value of
$78,000 if purchased separately from other engineering and environmental services companies. The
valuation of our services are based upon a labor rate of $150.00/engineering hour, plus materials,
equipment and other expenses. As part of this agreement US Water Services agrees to perform the
below services at no charge, of an overall agreement to provide the chemicals and water
treatment equipment for construction and operation.
Project Feasibility and Conceptual Design Stage | Value $6,500 |
• | Work with site representatives to identify water source | |
• | Aid in sampling by sending water sampling kit and/or technical representative | |
• | Provide laboratory services and test water for contaminants | |
• | Provide detailed cost analysis of the water source impact on water treatment capital equipment | |
• | Provide cost analysis of capital water treatment cost versus operational costs to provide best options | |
• | Evaluate “Return on Investment” options by computer modeling | |
• | Provide budget guidelines for chemicals, capital water treatment equipment and chemical control and feed equipment | |
• | Work with permitting agencies to determine water source impact on discharge | |
• | Provide water discharge profile to waste permitting agencies | |
• | Meet with and work with waste permitting agencies to help guide permit through the process |
Detail Engineering Stage | Value $10,500 |
• | Design/revise chemical feed systems to insure chemical compatibility, safety and control of system | |
• | Provide drawings of chemical feed system | |
• | Provide P&ID’s of capital water treatment equipment layout | |
• | Design operator testing program and make recommendations of test equipment needed | |
• | Meet with engineering design, installation and site personnel to coordinate all aspects of water treatment | |
• | Review water balances for water reuse opportunities. | |
• | Provide optimum chemistries to reduce operating costs prolong equipment life and meet discharge limitations. | |
• | Integrate the water treatment equipment with system operating system to provide monitoring and control from central point |
Construction Stage | Value $36,000 |
• | Develop and provide Operation Manuals for equipment, chemicals and control equipment | |
• | Develop cleaning procedures to boiler and cooling system start up | |
• | Develop operator training program | |
• | Develop Legionella Risk Assessment to minimize liability of Legionnaire’s disease | |
• | Work with installers to optimize the equipment installation | |
• | Provide all necessary stainless steel chemical totes, level gauges and chemical manifolds | |
• | Provide on site guidance to contractor to ensure proper installation of water treatment equipment and systems. |
Commissioning and Startup Stage | Value $25,000 |
• | Start up capital water treatment equipment and document conformance to operating specifications Systems covered: RO, RO CIP, Tower controller, Boiler controller, water works PC | |
• | Provide products and instructions to assure successful cleaning and pretreatment of equipment | |
• | Conduct Supervisor and Operator Training | |
• | Provide 14 days of on-site service by trained service engineer throughout start up period. Time will start either the weekend before grind and continue for 14 days or it will begin the day of grind and continue for 14 days. | |
• | Start up chemical feed systems | |
• | Test chemistries and control equipment to assure that specifications are meet | |
• | Confirm and document discharge chemistries meet discharge permits |
Operating Stage (Included in service agreement) | Value $6,500 |
• | Provide service technician a minimum of monthly or as agree upon with plant | |
• | Test water systems and equipment performance during service visits | |
• | Provide written evaluation of equipment operating conditions | |
• | Plant shut down support (boroscope) | |
• | Boiler inspections and visual documentation of equipment condition | |
• | If required, help with environmental permit paperwork. | |
• | Measure benchmarks for operating equipment such as boilers, RO’s, softeners and cooling systems | |
• | Provide corrosion prevention data | |
• | Provide bacteria and Legionella prevention assessment | |
• | Inspect equipment and document physical condition | |
• | Provide “Return on Investment” recommendations | |
• | Provide emergency response to problems | |
• | Update Operations Manual | |
• | Provide continuous training program for operators I | |
• | Make recommendations on capital water treatment equipment | |
• | Provide laboratory analysis of water systems as xxxxxx.xx assure program success | |
• | Provide all “Yeast Friendly”, non sodium based chemicals for boiler systems | |
• | Provide environmentally acceptable non oxidizing biocide chemicals for cooling system | |
• | Provide environmentally acceptable scale and corrosion inhibitor | |
• | Provide site specific scale and fouling operational chemical for reverse osmosis | |
• | Provide specialty cleaning chemicals for the boiler, tower and reverse osmosis system. (not included on service agreement) | |
• | Provide all testing reagents and reagent dispensing equipment | |
• | Provide quarterly corrosion coupon studies. |
Appendix B
U.S. Water Services Chemical & Services Agreement
XYZ Company
XYZ Company
TERM
U.S. Water Services agrees to provide the necessary water treatment chemicals
(reverse osmosis, cooling tower, and boilers) and service program for a period of three years from
the start-up-of the XYZ Company plant, which is expected to be operational
January 1, 2010.
INVESTMENT
Beginning December 1, 2006, XYZ Company agrees to pay U.S. Water Service $XX,XXX per month
for specialty water treatment chemicals, testing reagents, engineering services, environmental
support services, and plant start up assistance. The payments will be made in monthly installments
according to invoices generated by U.S. Water Services, and this amount is based on the nameplate
production of 50 million gallons per year. State and local taxes will be added to each invoice
unless a tax exemption is on file with U.S, Water Services. This agreement will automatically renew
each year. Price increases may be taken on the anniversary date of the contract provided that a
30-day notice of the increase is provided to the MinnErgy, LLC. All testing reagents are listed in
Schedule A-1 and the specialty water treatment chemicals covered under this agreement are listed in
Schedule B-1.
INITIAL ORDER
Not included under the Chemical and Services Agreement are one-time use chemicals and lab
equipment. These items are outlined in Schedule D-1. The amount of these items is estimated to be
$XX,XXX.
NOT TO EXCEED COSTS FOR CHEMICALS
U.S. Water Services agrees to limit the annual chemical cost for the products in Schedule A-1 and
B-1 to a maximum of $XX,XXX, provided the chemicals are applied within the recommended limits
specified by U.S. Water Services. If annual production and water usage are above nameplate design
the MinnErgy, LLC may be billed at a rate of $XX,XXX/1,000,000 gallons additional ethanol
production. Nameplate design and water efficiencies are outlined in Schedule C-1. Operational
variances from the design basis outlined in Schedule C-1 may result in additional charges. Charges
will be reconciled at the end of every quarter. All efficiencies are based on a quarterly average.
TERMINATION
The MinnErgy, LLC or U.S. Water Services may terminate the chemical and service agreement with 30
days written notice. If the MinnErgy, LLC terminates the chemical and service agreement,
outstanding equipment balances owed, if any, and bundled discounts taken must be paid in full prior
to termination. In addition, all remaining opened chemical inventory that is part, of this
agreement, (Schedule B-1) must be purchased prior to termination. U.S. Water owned equipment shall
be returned within 30 days of termination date, If U.S. Water Services terminates the chemical and
service agreement, the MinnErgy, LLC has the choice of continuing to pay equipment installments per
the installment schedule or may pay the outstanding amount in full.
The MinnErgy, LLC and U.S. Water Services agree that the results of any water treatment program
depend on the diligent application of the water treatment program and the proper operation of the
operating equipment. U.S. Water Services will not be responsible for any failure, caused in whole
or part, by the MinnErgy, LLC not implementing or following recommendations made by U.S. Water
Services personnel.
Under no circumstances shall U.S, Water Services or the MinnErgy, LLC be liable to the other for
incidental or consequential damages.
MinnErgy, LLC:
Tax Exempt: Yes No | ||||||||||||||
By: | Supplier: | U.S. Water Services | ||||||||||||
(Signature) | ||||||||||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||||||||||
(Printed Name) | (Signature) | |||||||||||||
Title: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||||||||||
(Printed Name) | ||||||||||||||
Date: | Title: | Ethanol Team Leader | ||||||||||||
Date: |
Schedule A-1
Test Kits Description | # of Units | Part No. | ||
SaniCheck AB | 3 | 854 AN | ||
Total Alkalinity | 1 | 226 A | ||
Total Alkalinity | 1 | 226 C | ||
N/50 | 4 | 203 G | ||
Free Cl2 packets | 6 | H21055-69 | ||
TDS Soln 3000 umhos | 1 | 117/300F | ||
High Range Harness Titrating Soln | 4 | 145 G | ||
Low Range Harness Titrating Soln | 2 | 144 G | ||
Ca Hard, Buffer soln | 1 | 107 A | ||
Ca Hard, Buffer soln | 1 | 107 E | ||
Ca Indicator powder | 1 | 109 B | ||
Ca Indicator powder | 1 | 109 C | ||
BaCl solution 30% | 1 | 101 A | ||
BaCl solution 30% | 1 | 101 C | ||
Hard, Buffer Soln | 1 | 138 A | ||
Hard, Buffer Soln | 1 | 138 E | ||
Hard, Indicator Powder | 1 | 139 B | ||
Hard, Indicator Powder | 1 | 139 C | ||
4 Automatic 10 ml Burettos | 4 | 702 | ||
P Indicator | 1 | 168 A | ||
P Indicator | 1 | 168 C | ||
Startch Acid/Sulfite Indicator Powder | 3 | 199 B | ||
Potassium Todido Titrating Soln. N/80 | 1 | 175 G | ||
Polymer Buffer | 1 | 511 C | ||
Polymer Buffer | 2 | 511 E | ||
Polymer Titrant | 1 | 512 C | ||
Polymer Titrant | 1 | 512 E | ||
Iron Powder Packets 10 ml | 3 | H21057-69 | ||
25 ml Sample Cells (round) | 6 | H1730-06 | ||
Powder Pour Spout | 3 | 799 | ||
140 ml casserole | 1 | 738 | ||
Eye Dropper 0.5 and 1.0 ml | 4 | 759 | ||
Graduated Cylinder, Plastic 100 m | 1 | 778 |
Additional Services
Services Description | # of Units | Supplier | Start Up | |||||
Corrosion coupon
|
16 | USWS | 4* |
* | Corrosion coupons for start up include Copper, Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel and Sealing coupon |
Schedule B-1
System | Chemical | Use | ||
Boiler | BWT-103-L Plus | Oxygen Scavenger | ||
Boiler | Boiler MP | Scale/Corrosion Inhibitor | ||
Boiler | RLT-35 | Condensate Treatment | ||
Boiler | BWT-200B | Alkalinity Adjustment | ||
Cooling Tower | CWT-530 | Scale/Corrosion Inhibitor | ||
Cooling Tower | Biotrol 509 | Non-Oxidizing Biocide | ||
Reverse Osmosis | RO-503 | RO Antiscalant | ||
Reverse Osmosis | BWT-104 | Chlorine Scavenger | ||
Reverse Osmosis | ROC-20 | RO CIP Chemical | ||
Reverse Osmosis | ROC-50 Plus | CO CIP Chemical |
Chemicals and equipment not specifically listed in Schedule B-1 above are excluded from this
agreement. These include:
• | Sulfuric acid | ||
• | Chlorine | ||
• | Process chemicals |
It is the responsibility of the plan to order totes of 12% Sodium Hypochlorite, 66º Baume Sulfuric
Acid, and a pallet of salt prior to start up.
Schedule C-1
000 X. Xxxxxxxxx Xx.
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
P: 000 000-0000
F: 000 000-0000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
P: 000 000-0000
F: 000 000-0000
Schedule D-1
Part Number | Description | Use | ||
BoilOut | BoilOut | Chemical for Cleaning Boiler | ||
TowerClean 819 | TowerClean 819 | Chemical for Cleaning Condenser System | ||
DR-890 | Spectrometer | Digital Testing of System Chemistries | ||
TDS EP-10 | Conductivity Meter | Used to Determine Operating Levels | ||
717 | Auto 10 mL Burettes | Testing Titration Methods | ||
60060 | Casserole | Testing Titration Methods | ||
770 | Graduated Cylinders | Testing Titration Methods | ||
759 | Eye Droppers | Reagent Dosing | ||
Auto SDI | Auto SDI | Determine RO Feed SDI Level |
xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Registered to ISO 9001
Registered to ISO 9001