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METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CONCENTRATED ALCOHOL FROM FERMENTATION BROTHS

  • US 20100055753A1
  • Filed: 08/27/2009
  • Published: 03/04/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for obtaining a concentrated alcohol solution from a lignocellulosic feedstock, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (i) producing a fermentable sugar solution comprising ammonium salts or a combination of ammonium salts and ammonia, wherein at least a portion of the fermentable sugar solution arises from hydrolyzing the lignocellulosic feedstock;

    (ii) fermenting the sugar solution to produce a fermentation broth comprising alcohol and at least about 1 g ammonium ions/kg fermentation broth;

    (iii) concentrating the alcohol in the fermentation broth by distillation to produce an alcohol-enriched vapour; and

    (iv) reducing the concentration of ammonia in said alcohol-enriched vapour by acid addition, before or during the distillation and then further concentrating alcohol present in said alcohol-rich vapour by an azeotrope breaking process to obtain the concentrated alcohol solution.

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