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: 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: 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.

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 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. Thin stillage is separated from the whole stillage. Water is evaporated from the separated thin stillage to produce first-concentrated thin stillage and at least a portion of first effect steam. Water from the first-concentrated thin stillage is evaporated with heat from the first effect steam to produce second-concentrated thin stillage and second effect steam. Water is evaporated from the second-concentrated thin stillage with heat from the second effect steam to third effect steam. At least a portion of the third effect steam is used to supply sufficient heat to the beer column for distilling the alcohol-laden beer.