×

Method and system for corn fractionation

  • US 8,344,107 B2
  • Filed: 07/14/2009
  • Issued: 01/01/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A process for fractionation of corn, the process comprising the steps of:

  • preparing the corn for extraction to obtain prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed;

    extracting the oil from the prepared corn that has not been steeped and has not been de-germed with a first solvent to provide an extracted corn-solvent mixture, wherein the first solvent comprises at least one of a hydrocarbon, an alcohol and a combination of at least one of an alcohol with water;

    separating the extracted corn-solvent mixture into at least a stream including an extract comprising the oil and first solvent, and another stream comprising de-oiled corn solids and adsorbed first solvent;

    separating the first solvent from the oil in the extract by membrane processing the extract;

    extracting zein from the de-oiled corn solids with a second solvent to provide a de-oiled corn solids-second solvent mixture;

    separating the de-oiled corn solids-second solvent mixture into at least a stream comprising a second extract including the zein and second solvent, and another stream comprising de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids and adsorbed second solvent;

    separating zein from the second solvent by membrane processing the second extract;

    desolventizing the de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids to remove the adsorbed second solvent;

    resuspending said desolventized, de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids in water; and

    separating one or more of the fiber, starch, and protein from the resuspended desolventized, de-oiled, de-zeined corn solids to produce one or more corn products.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×