Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process), with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process), with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production, using membrane filtration. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process) using membrane filtration, with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: A system and process is disclosed for adding pre-fermentation separated non-fermentables, e.g., fiber, germ/oil, and/or protein, to a post-fermentation stream in a corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process for making alcohol and/or other biofuels/biochemical. The process includes mixing grain particles with a liquid to produce a slurry having starch and non-fermentables. The slurry is subjected to liquefaction to convert the starch in the slurry to complex sugars and produce a liquefied stream including the complex sugars and non-fermentables. After liquefaction but prior to fermentation of simple sugars resulting from conversion of the complex sugars, the non-fermentables are separated out to define a non-fermentables portion and an aqueous solution including the complex and/or simple sugars. The simple sugars are fermented to provide a fermented stream. Then, the separated non-fermentables portion is reincorporated back into the process into a post-fermentation stream.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process), with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion, via a counter current wash, at the back end of a corn dry milling process for making alcohol is disclosed. The method can include separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a stillage (centrate) portion, which includes protein. Thereafter, the stillage portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion. The protein portion may be mixed with clean water to wash and dilute the protein portion. The diluted protein portion may be dewatered to form a dewatered protein portion and a centrate. A portion of the centrate may be used as a protein counter current wash when the protein portion is being separated from the stillage portion. The protein counter current wash reduces the amount of unfermentable solids in the protein portion and the centrate.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion, via a counter current wash, at the back end of a corn dry milling process for making alcohol is disclosed. The method can include separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a stillage (centrate) portion, which includes protein. Thereafter, the stillage portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion. The protein portion may be mixed with clean water to wash and dilute the protein portion. The diluted protein portion may be dewatered to form a dewatered protein portion and a centrate. A portion of the centrate may be used as a protein counter current wash when the protein portion is being separated from the stillage portion. The protein counter current wash reduces the amount of unfermentable solids in the protein portion and the centrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing carbohydrate (e.g., sugar) streams (and recycling enzymes) from a pretreated or untreated biomass such as cellulosic feedstock, including, for example, “brown stock” feedstock, or waste or recycled fiber sludge produced in the pulp and paper industry, such as for biochemical (e.g., biofuel) production, are provided. In one example, the system and method can produce high purity C6 (glucose and/or fructose) and/or C5 (xylose) sugar streams, and other carbohydrates and/or fibrous materials, from cellulosic feedstocks, such as brown stock or waste fiber sludge, that can be effectively converted into various biochemical products, such as ethanol.

Abstract: A system and process is disclosed for adding pre-fermentation separated non-fermentables, e.g., fiber, germ/oil, and/or protein, to a post-fermentation stream in a corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process for making alcohol and/or other biofuels/biochemical. The process includes mixing grain particles with a liquid to produce a slurry having starch and non-fermentables. The slurry is subjected to liquefaction to convert the starch in the slurry to complex sugars and produce a liquefied stream including the complex sugars and non-fermentables. After liquefaction but prior to fermentation of simple sugars resulting from conversion of the complex sugars, the non-fermentables are separated out to define a non-fermentables portion and an aqueous solution including the complex and/or simple sugars. The simple sugars are fermented to provide a fermented stream. Then, the separated non-fermentables portion is reincorporated back into the process into a post-fermentation stream.

Abstract: Method for producing a fertilizer or herbicide from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making alcohol and system therefore is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion. Thereafter, the thin stillage portion can be dewatered to provide a water soluble solids portion and a dewatered protein portion, which may be optionally dried. The protein in the resulting protein portion can serve as a nitrogen source and sulfur containing amino acids can serve as a sulfur source, which can be desirable components in fertilizers and herbicides. To that end, the resulting protein portion directly may be sold and/or used as a fertilizer or herbicide or can be combined with other components to provide the fertilizer or herbicide.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion, via a counter current wash, at the back end of a corn dry milling process for making alcohol is disclosed. The method can include separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a stillage (centrate) portion, which includes protein. Thereafter, the stillage portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion. The protein portion may be mixed with clean water to wash and dilute the protein portion. The diluted protein portion may be dewatered to form a dewatered protein portion and a centrate. A portion of the centrate may be used as a protein counter current wash when the protein portion is being separated from the stillage portion. The protein counter current wash reduces the amount of unfermentable solids in the protein portion and the centrate.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a zein protein product from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry-milling process for making alcohol, such as ethanol, and/or other biofuels/biochemicals. In one embodiment, the method includes separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a centrate (solubles) portion, which includes protein, such as zein protein. Thereafter, the centrate (solubles) portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion, which includes zein protein. Zein protein may be separated out from the protein portion. The remaining protein portion may be further processed to produce a high protein corn meal. The resulting zein protein portion may be further processed to be sold as a zein protein product and/or used as or in, for example, coatings, fibers, adhesives, ceramics, inks, cosmetics, textiles, food products, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable plastics.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a zein protein product from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry-milling process for making alcohol, such as ethanol, and/or other biofuels/biochemicals. In one embodiment, the method includes separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a centrate (solubles) portion, which includes protein, such as zein protein. Thereafter, the centrate (solubles) portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion, which includes zein protein. Zein protein may be separated out from the protein portion. The remaining protein portion may be further processed to produce a high protein corn meal. The resulting zein protein portion may be further processed to be sold as a zein protein product and/or used as or in, for example, coatings, fibers, adhesives, ceramics, inks, cosmetics, textiles, food products, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable plastics.

Abstract: A method for separating one or more amino acids from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry milling process for making alcohol and system therefore is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage portion, which include protein and amino acids. Thereafter, the thin stillage portion can be separated into a water soluble solids portion and a protein and amino acids portion. The resulting protein and amino acids portion can be separated into an amino acid(s) portion and a protein portion, both of which may be optionally dried, utilizing microfiltration, ultrafiltration, electrophoresis techniques/devices, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production. In particular, after saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, a sugar/carbohydrate stream is removed from a saccharified stream. The sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with the such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. Sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production. In particular, after saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, a sugar/carbohydrate stream is removed from a saccharified stream. The sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with the such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. Sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production. In particular, after saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, a sugar/carbohydrate stream is removed from a saccharified stream. The sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with the such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. Sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biochemical production, with front end oil separation. Prior to or after saccharification, oil can be removed from a sugar/carbohydrate stream. After saccharification and prior to a sugar conversion process, the sugar/carbohydrate stream includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose can be produced, with such sugar stream being available for biochemical production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein and/or fiber. In other words, oil separation and sugar stream production occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: An improved dry grind system and method for producing a sugar stream from grains or similar carbohydrate sources and/or residues, such as for biofuel production, using membrane filtration. In particular, a sugar/carbohydrate stream, which includes a desired Dextrose Equivalent (DE) where DE describes the degree of conversion of starch to dextrose (aka glucose) and/or has had removed therefrom an undesirable amount of unfermentable components, can be produced after saccharification and prior to fermentation (or other sugar conversion process) using membrane filtration, with such sugar stream being available for biofuel production, e.g., alcohol production, or other processes. In addition, the systems and methods also can involve the removal of certain grain components, e.g., corn kernel components, including protein, oil and/or fiber, prior to fermentation or other conversion systems. In other words, sugar stream production and/or grain component separation occurs on the front end of the system and method.

Abstract: A method and system for distilling alcohol in an alcohol production process is disclosed. The method can include fermenting a mixture of water and milled grain to produce alcohol-laden beer, which can be distilled in a beer column maintained at a subatmospheric pressure to produce a vapor, primarily including alcohol, and whole stillage. Stillage is separated from the whole stillage. Water is evaporated from the separated stillage to produce first-concentrated stillage and first effect steam. Water from the first-concentrated stillage is evaporated with heat from the first effect steam to produce second effect steam. In one embodiment, second effect steam can be used to supply sufficient heat to a side stripper for distilling the alcohol-laden beer. In another embodiment, the method can include generating steam from one or more steam generator to supply sufficient heat to the beer column for distilling the alcohol-laden beer.