Use of flour consistency feedstock and improved hydrolyzing conditions in an ethanol production process
First Claim
1. A process for the production of ethanol and whole stillage from a carbohydrate-containing feedstock, comprising the steps of:
- a) milling the carbohydrate-containing feedstock to produce a carbohydrate-containing flour having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns;
b) mixing water with the flour to produce a slurry solution;
c) fermenting the slurry solution under fermentation conditions to produce a fermented product stream; and
d) distilling the fermented product stream to produce an ethanol-rich stream and a separate whole stillage stream.
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Abstract
An improved process is shown wherein a carbohydrate-containing feedstock, such as corn, is milled to form a flour having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns. The flour is then hydrolyzed along with added vitamins and/or nutrients and/or enzymes. The hydrolyzed product is then mixed with a soy hull flour, also preferably having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns, and subjected to conventional fermentation to produce an ethanol containing product. The ethanol-containing product is then distilled to produce an ethanol enriched steam and a separate whole stillage. In preferred embodiments the process includes various filtration treatments of the whole stillage with and without added vitamins, nutrients, or other compounds to obtain value-added by-products.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A process for the production of ethanol and whole stillage from a carbohydrate-containing feedstock, comprising the steps of:
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a) milling the carbohydrate-containing feedstock to produce a carbohydrate-containing flour having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns; b) mixing water with the flour to produce a slurry solution; c) fermenting the slurry solution under fermentation conditions to produce a fermented product stream; and d) distilling the fermented product stream to produce an ethanol-rich stream and a separate whole stillage stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A process for the production of ethanol and whole stillage from a carbohydrate-containing feedstock, comprising the steps of:
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a) milling the carbohydrate-containing feedstock to produce a milled feedstock having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns; b) mixing water and enzymes with the milled feedstock to produce a slurry solution, the enzymes comprising about 0.5% to about 1.5% by dry weight of the slurry solution; c) hydrolyzing the slurry solution; d) fermenting the hydrolyzed slurry solution under fermentation conditions to produce a fermented product stream; and e) distilling the fermented product steam to produce an ethanol-rich stream and a separate whole stillage stream. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for the production of ethanol and whole stillage from a carbohydrate-containing feedstock, consisting essentially of:
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a) milling the carbohydrate-containing feedstock to produce a carbohydrate-containing flour having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns; b) mixing water with the flour to produce a slurry solution wherein the slurry solution contains at least one enzyme in an amount of 0.5% to 1.5% by dry weight of the slurry solution; c) hydrolyzing the slurry stream at temperatures between about 80°
C. and about 130°
C. for a period of time between about 45 to about 60 seconds to produce a hydrolyzed slurry stream;d) fermenting the slurry solution under fermentation conditions to produce a fermented product stream; and e) distilling the fermented product stream to produce an ethanol-rich stream and a separate whole stillage stream.
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- 14. A process for the production of ethanol and whole stillage from a carbohydrate containing feedstock that increases the rate of production and volume of ethanol produced comprising milling the carbohydrate-containing feedstock to a particle size of less than about 100 microns, reducing the time for heating during hydrolysis, and increasing the level of amylose groups cleaved from the carbohydrate.
Specification