Ethanol production by fermentation of chinese tallow tree

• US 8,198,057 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2009
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alternative Lining Technologies, LLC, SEA-Today LLC
• Original Assignee: Alternative Lining Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Padgett, Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): Ford, Allison
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pyla, Yvonne
• Application Number:
  US12/480,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20100311138A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,100 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 435/161
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/04 Mechanical means, e.g. sonic waves, stretching forces, pressure or shear stimuli
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 35/06 Magnetic means C12M35/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/36 Adaptation or attenuation of cells
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/38 Chemical stimulation of growth or activity by addition of chemical compounds which are not essential growth factors; Stimulation of growth by removal of a chemical compound C12N1/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 13/00 Treatment of microorganisms or enzymes with electrical or wave energy, e.g. magnetism, sonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 39/00 Processes involving microorganisms of different genera in the same process, simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/10 substrate containing cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/14 Multiple stages of fermentation; Multiple types of microorganisms or re-use of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

A method for producing ethanol by fermentation includes the preparation of a starter culture, inoculation of a mash with the starter culture, fermentation of the mash, and recovery of ethanol from the mash. The starter culture includes a tallow base with Chinese tallow tree parts and water which are inoculated with micro-organisms, where the micro-organisms include yeast. The micro-organisms are grown in the tallow base, and used to inoculate the mash. The mash is then fermented, and ethanol is recovered from the mash.

Claims

1. A method of producing ethanol comprising:

a) preparing a starter culture, where preparation of the starter culture comprises;

a1) providing a tallow base comprising Chinese tallow tree parts and water;

a2) inoculating the tallow base with a microorganism, where the microorganism comprises yeast;

a3) growing the microorganism in the tallow base in a growth phase;

b) providing a mash, where the mash comprises water and an organic material, and where the organic material is primarily an organic material other than Chinese tallow tree;

c) inoculating the mash with the starter culture;

d) fermenting the mash; and

e) recovering ethanol from the mash.

2. The method of claim 1 where (d) further comprises exposing the mash to a negative magnetic field.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising exposing the mash to ultrasound before (e).

4. The method of claim 1 where the mash includes softwoods, the method further comprising exposing the mash to ultrasound and recovering sap from the mash before (d).

5. The method of claim 1 where (a2) further comprises adding raw honey.

6. The method of claim 1 where (a2) further comprises adding a fungus from the genus Pichia.

7. The method of claim 1 where (a3) further comprises exposing the tallow base to a negative magnetic field.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding estrogen to the tallow base before (a3).

9. The method of claim 1 where (a3) further comprises oxygenating the tallow base.