Abstract: The present invention improves corn dry milling in several ways. Integrated corn biorefinery processes are disclosed which can produce ethanol, edible corn oil, DDG or DDGS, solvent-extracted meal, power, and optionally crude corn oil, starting from corn. Some variations employ corn fractionation and edible corn oil recovery using liquid carbon dioxide, avoiding hazardous hydrocarbon-based solvents to produce edible corn oil. Some variations employ integration of gas-fired co-generation into the dry-milled corn ethanol plant to significantly reduce energy usage and carbon footprint associated with the overall process. Counter-current drying is preferably employed to produce a high-quality DDG or DDGS product with high protein content, low mycotoxin content, and low residual ethanol content.

Abstract: The present invention improves corn dry milling in several ways. Integrated corn biorefinery processes are disclosed which can produce ethanol, edible corn oil, DDGS, solvent-extracted meal, power, and optionally crude corn oil, starting from corn. Some variations employ corn fractionation and edible corn oil recovery using liquid carbon dioxide, avoiding hazardous hydrocarbon-based solvents to produce edible corn oil. Some variations employ integration of gas-fired co-generation into the dry-milled corn ethanol plant to significantly reduce energy usage and carbon footprint associated with the overall process. Counter-current drying is preferably employed to produce a high-quality DDGS product with high protein content, low mycotoxin content, and low residual ethanol content.

Abstract: The present invention improves biodiesel production in several ways. Unique combinations of unit operations and flow configurations are disclosed in mobile processing units that are feedstock-flexible and can be dynamically deployed in a distributed way. In some embodiments, a process includes introducing a waste oil and an alcohol into a reactor with an esterification-transesterification enzymatic catalyst. Free fatty acids are reacted with alcohol to produce fatty acid alkyl esters, and glycerides are reacted with alcohol to produce fatty acid alkyl esters and glycerin. A membrane separator removes glycerin, water, and alcohol. Unreacted free fatty acids are then separated and recycled, to generate a product stream with fatty acid alkyl esters. A genset may be provided for combusting glycerin to produce electrical power and thermal heat as co-products. This biodiesel process may be energy self-sufficient, require no external utilities, and avoid direct discharge of wastewater.

Abstract: The present invention improves corn dry milling in several ways. Integrated corn biorefinery processes are disclosed which can produce ethanol, edible corn oil, DDGS, solvent-extracted meal, power, and optionally crude corn oil, starting from corn. Some variations employ corn fractionation and edible corn oil recovery using liquid carbon dioxide, avoiding hazardous hydrocarbon-based solvents to produce edible corn oil. Some variations employ integration of gas-fired co-generation into the dry-milled corn ethanol plant to significantly reduce energy usage and carbon footprint associated with the overall process. Counter-current drying is preferably employed to produce a high-quality DDGS product with high protein content, low mycotoxin content, and low residual ethanol content.

Abstract: The invention provides an integrated corn processing model and plant which can be used to generate grits, ethanol, energy, starch, sweeteners, gluten, fermentation products, corn meal and oil in a manner that allows the controller to shift outputs depending on process economics and availability of inputs.

Abstract: There is described a method for obtaining pectin from a pectin-containing material that involves treating the pectin-containing material with an enzyme that causes the pectin to be released from the pectin-containing material. Suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, cellulase enzymes, hemicellulase enzymes, and mixtures thereof. Ethanol and isopropanol are typical alcohols utilized in recovering the pectin. Also decarbohydrates scribed is the pectin produced by the method, and the use of the pectin in foods and beverages.