Abstract: A hybrid fermentation process for the production of; fermentation products is provided. This process includes combining a saccharide-rich slurry. This saccharide-rich slurry may include, but is not limited to starch, cellulose, hemi-cellulose, cellulobios, and may or may not contain, proteins, peptides, amino acids, lignin and to other biologically produced or environmental compounds. The process also includes a fermenting organism such as yeast, bacteria, archea, algae or other biocatalyst. The process also includes nutrients for the fermenting organism in a continuous fermentation step, thereby producing a partially fermented stream. The process also includes introducing the partially fermented product stream into a batch fermentation step, thereby producing a finished fermented beer stream.

Abstract: A method for cleaning exchangers including providing a heat exchanger with a liquid contact side and a vapor contact side, providing acid to clean the liquid contact side, and providing caustic to clean the vapor contact side is provided. In the method, the exchanger may be a beer preheater. In the method, the acid may be sulfamic acid. In the method, the liquid contact side may be the beer side. In the method, the exchanger may be a plate-in-frame heat exchanger or a a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. In the method, the acid may be provided from a central storage tank. In the method, there may be a recirculation pump. In the method, the acid may be provided from a local storage tank.

Abstract: A method for preheating beer including providing a first heat exchanger, comprising a first outlet stream at a first temperature; providing a second heat exchanger, comprising a hot heat transfer stream, a first flow control valve situated within said hot heat transfer stream, a second outlet stream at a second temperature, a temperature sensor situated within said second outlet stream; wherein said first outlet fluid comprises a first inlet stream, and a second flow control valve situated within said first inlet stream; determining said second temperature with said temperature sensor; comparing said second temperature to a predetermined temperature range; performing an operation selected from the group consisting of: maintaining said first flow control valve in a closed position, and maintaining said second flow control valve in an open position, if said second temperature is within said predetermined temperature range, modulating said first flow control valve in order to effect heat transfer between said ho

Abstract: An apparatus including an ethanol stream, wherein said ethanol stream contains greater than 5% of water; a dehydration means, wherein the water content of said ethanol stream is reduced to less than 5%; a desiccation means, wherein the water content of said ethanol stream is reduced to less than about 1%; a 200 proof receiver, wherein said 200 proof receiver comprises a sample port or a sensor to allow the percentage of water in the ethanol to be determined, and wherein said 200 proof receiver comprises an outlet; a heat exchanger to heat said ethanol stream with less than 1% water, and a mixing manifold downstream of said heat exchanger, wherein said heated ethanol stream with less than 1% water is combined with fusal oils from a fusal oil decanter is provided.

Abstract: A method for improving rectifier column performance including positioning a temperature controller on the rectifier column feed tray, wherein said temperature controller is outside the fusel draw region, and controlling distillate composition or temperature, wherein said control is cascaded to the rectifier column flow control is provided.

Abstract: A method for on-line cleaning of a heat exchanger in an ethanol plant, including providing heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger has an inlet, and an internal surface, wherein said internal surface has accumulated undesired solids; providing an antifoaming agent to said inlet, during normal operation; providing a caustic to said inlet, during normal operation, and cleaning the internal surface of said accumulated undesired solids, during normal operation is provided.

Abstract: A method for preventing ethanol buildup in a column including providing a column with a bottom temperature and a next temperature above the bottom; providing a first advisory, wherein said first advisory comprises a temperature difference between said bottom temperature and said next temperature above the bottom that exceeds a first predetermined value, wherein a first action is taken should this first advisory occur; providing a second advisory, wherein said second advisory comprises a temperature depression of said bottom temperature of a second predetermined value, wherein a second action is taken should this second advisory occur, and providing a third advisory, wherein said third advisory comprises a temperature depression of said bottom temperature of a third predetermined value, wherein a third action is taken should this third advisory occur is provided.