Patents by Inventor Neal Jakel

Neal Jakel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12258602
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Publication number: 20250084124
    Abstract: An improved dry grind method and system of alcohol and/or biochemical production for increasing the yield and/or purity of protein and/or oil in facilities that produce alcohol (e.g., ethanol) from corn or other cereal grains. In one embodiment, the method includes membrane filtration of a liquid portion from a high protein slurry that has been separated into the liquid portion and a high protein wet cake portion initially derived from a whole stillage byproduct. The liquid portion may be cooled in a heat exchanger to a temperature suitable for a desired membrane filter. Solids, dissolved proteins, and oils are separated by the membrane and concentrated in a retentate stream. Low molecular weight dissolved solids pass through the membrane as permeate. The proteins and oil from the retentate are returned to prior separation equipment that produced the high protein slurry and will be separated by said equipment increasing protein and/or oil yields and/or purity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, John Kwik, Chris Kempf, Brian Runge
  • Patent number: 12213497
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a protein and fiber feed product from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn 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. Thereafter, a fine fiber and protein portion may be separated from the centrate (solubles) portion. The fine fiber and protein portion may be dewatered to provide a protein and fiber feed product. In one example, the protein and fiber feed product can include insoluble solids, such as wet or dry distiller's grains with or without solubles. The resulting protein and fiber feed product may be sold and/or used as rumen feed, swine feed, chicken feed, aqua feed, food uses, or have other uses, including pharmaceutical and/or chemical usage, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, John Kwik
  • Publication number: 20240376397
    Abstract: A method for increasing oil yield from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn dry-milling process for making alcohol (e.g., ethanol) and/or other biofuels/biochemicals and a system therefor 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 separated into a water-soluble solids portion, which includes oil, and a protein portion. Oil can be recovered from the water-soluble solids portion. In one example, to break oil in water emulsions in the water-soluble solids portion and increase the oil yield, a treated portion of the recovered oil, which may be heated, may be re-introduced/recycled to the water-soluble solids portion prior to the oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Michael Franko
  • Publication number: 20240284939
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a high protein meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a grain dry-milling process for making ethanol, with optional back end milling options, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage/centrate portion, wherein at least one milling step can be applied to one or both of the insoluble solids portion and the whole stillage portion. Next, the centrate portion may be separated into a protein portion and a water-soluble solids portion. And then the protein portion can be dewatered and/or dried to define a high protein meal having at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Michael Franko, Donald M. Cannon
  • Patent number: 12048935
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hora, John Kwik, Neal Jakel
  • Publication number: 20240076753
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Publication number: 20240060148
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Publication number: 20230413858
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a high protein meal from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a grain dry-milling process for making ethanol, with optional back end milling options, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for producing a high protein meal from a whole stillage byproduct includes separating the whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a thin stillage/centrate portion, wherein at least one milling step can be applied to one or both of the insoluble solids portion and the whole stillage portion. Next, the centrate portion may be separated into a protein portion and a water-soluble solids portion. And then the protein portion can be dewatered and/or dried to define a high protein meal having at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Michael Franko, Donald M. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20230383322
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Robert, Neal Jakel, Donald M. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11746365
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Robert, Neal Jakel, Donald M. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20230272494
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Publication number: 20230203552
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, John Kwik, Michael Franko, Andrew Whalen
  • Publication number: 20230112538
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Publication number: 20230079475
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Patent number: 11597955
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, John Kwik, Michael Franko, Andrew Whalen
  • Patent number: 11519013
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Patent number: 11505838
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, Albert Pollmeier
  • Publication number: 20220361525
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a protein and fiber feed product from a whole stillage byproduct produced in a corn 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. Thereafter, a fine fiber and protein portion may be separated from the centrate (solubles) portion. The fine fiber and protein portion may be dewatered to provide a protein and fiber feed product. In one example, the protein and fiber feed product can include insoluble solids, such as wet or dry distiller's grains with or without solubles. The resulting protein and fiber feed product may be sold and/or used as rumen feed, swine feed, chicken feed, aqua feed, food uses, or have other uses, including pharmaceutical and/or chemical usage, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, John Kwik
  • Patent number: 11447806
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Neal Jakel, John Kwik, Michael Franko, Andrew Whalen