METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRODUCING ETHANOL USING RAW STARCH AND SELECTING PLANT MATERIAL

• US 20110250312A1
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Poet Research Inc.
• Original Assignee: Poet Research Inc.
• Inventors: Lewis, Stephen M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,597,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/11
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/14 produced by the action of a carbohydrase (EC 3.2.x), e.g. by alpha-amylase , e.g. by cellulase, hemicellulase
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/06 Ethanol, i.e. non-beverage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include selecting plant material. Selecting can include excluding plant material that has been exposed to high temperatures or that has had high moisture content.

Claims

1. A process for producing ethanol from plant material, comprising:

selecting plant material, the selected plant material excluding plant material previously exposed to a temperature in excess of about 200°

F.;

reducing the plant material to produce material comprising starch;

the reduced plant material having particle size such that at least about 50% of the particles fit through a sieve with a 0.1-0.5 mm mesh;

saccharifying the starch, without cooking, with an enzyme composition;

fermenting the incubated starch to yield a composition comprising at least 15 vol-% ethanol;

fermenting comprising reducing temperature of fermenting mixture; and

recovering the ethanol and co-products from the fermentation.

2-64. -64. (canceled)