Methods and systems for producing ethanol using raw starch and selecting plant material

• US 8,597,919 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2011
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Poet Research Inc.
• Original Assignee: Poet Research Inc.
• Inventors: Lewis, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weber, Jon P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Srivastava, Kailash C
• Application Number:
  US13/043,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20110250312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,001 Days
• Field of Search: 435/18, 435/22, 435/93, 435/96, 435/105, 435/161, 435/201
• US Class Current: 435/161
• 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. An aqueous corn composition for fermentation comprising:

An aqueous corn composition for fermentation comprising;

corn which has been dried at a temperature between about room temperature and about 170 °

F. under conditions such that the activity of endogenous enzymes within the corn is maintained; and

a fungal acid amylase and a glucoamylase wherein the aqueous composition is maintained at a pH of 3 to 6;

wherein the corn has a particle size such that at least about 50% of the particles fit through a sieve with a 0.5 mm mesh.

2. The corn composition of claim 1, wherein the corn has been dried at an elevated temperature with a short exposure to higher temperature air to maintain a moisture content of the corn to about 13 wt-%.

3. The corn composition of claim 1, wherein the corn which has been dried at a temperature that does not exceed about 160°

F.

4. The corn composition of claim 1, wherein the corn which has been dried at a temperature that does not exceed about 140°

F.

5. The corn composition of claim 1, wherein the corn comprises corn endosperm.

6. The corn composition of claim 1, wherein the corn comprises waxy corn or high protein corn.

7. The corn composition of claim 1,comprising about 0.1 to about 10 acid fungal amylase units per gram of dry solids of corn and about 0.1 to about 6 glucoamylase units per gram of dry solids of corn.