Abstract: A method and system for improving ethanol production from biomass are provided which includes adding at least one separation aid to stillage, that is preferably whole stillage, that contains oil and/or fat generally in the form of an emulsion, to form a treated stillage prior to centrifuging the stillage, and centrifuging the treated stillage in at least one centrifuge to separate at least a portion of the solids content from the treated stillage. The separation aid contains at least one anionic surfactant, at least one non-ionic surfactant, at least one organic solvent that is miscible in water, and water, and optionally at least one lecithin. Treated stillage products are also provided which can contain the indicated separation aid.

Abstract: A method and system for improving ethanol production from biomass are provided which includes adding at least one separation aid to stillage, that is preferably whole stillage, that contains oil and/or fat generally in the form of an emulsion, to form a treated stillage prior to centrifuging the stillage, and centrifuging the treated stillage in at least one centrifuge to separate at least a portion of the solids content from the treated stillage. The separation aid contains at least one anionic surfactant, at least one non-ionic surfactant, at least one organic solvent that is miscible in water, and water, and optionally at least one lecithin. Treated stillage products are also provided which can contain the indicated separation aid.

Abstract: A binary or ternary surfactant mixture for use in enhanced oil recovery within a reservoir having total dissolved solids greater than approximately 80,000 parts per million (i.e., heavy to extreme brine conditions) includes at least two of a propoxylated/ethoxylated alcohol sulfate, an ethoxylated alcohol sulfate, and a monoalkyl or dialkyl diphenyloxide disulfonate. The surfactant mixture is used without alcohol, which is unnecessary to maintain solution stability and good coalescence rates and thus improves compatibility with polymers added to improve the mobility ratio. During testing, exceptional solution stability, excellent oil recovery capability, and good compatibility was observed with these surfactant blends. The mixtures are effective at concentrations below 1% and as low as 0.1% by weight.