The south corn receiving system rehabilitation work will occur in the coming weeks and LSCP anticipates placing the south corn receiving complex back in service around June 15, 2026.
The rebuilt system will include a relocation of the baghouse, subject to Iowa DNR approval. The relocation allows for installation of an additional explosion isolation flap gate device. The rebuilt system will also include replacing all tail section drum pulleys with a different style of tail pulley.
The investigation of the February 16, 2026, dust explosion concluded that the source of ignition was the catastrophic failure of a tail section drum pulley located inside the tail section of a fill conveyor. This fill conveyor carries corn from the top of the corn receiving legs to the peak of the first corn storage bin. The integrity of the manufactured drum component failed and slid on its shaft to the right resulting in metal-to-metal contact between the rotating pulley and the conveyor enclosure. The subsequent hot surface or spark is deemed to have initiated the dust explosion. The pressure wave and flame front traveled through several conveyors and the dust collection ductwork causing damage along the flow path including the dust explosion that occurred inside the baghouse.
The design and construction of the original south corn receiving system complied with fire codes and dust explosion protection standards adopted by the State of Iowa and applicable at the time of design.