Abstract: Provided are methods and systems of obtaining oil from a stillage composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include fractionating the plant material. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The method can include drying a co-product by ring drying, flash drying, or fluid bed drying. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for propagating microorganisms such as yeast using a carbon source that includes glycerol and a nutrient source that includes a stillage component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ethanol yield are provided. A feedstock is ground suitably fine for use in fermentation. The feedstock may include corn or any other suitable material. In some cases, the feedstock undergoes a fractionation prior to grinding. The ground feedstock may be slurried with water and enzymes to facilitate conversion of the starch in the feedstock to sugars. The slurry may be about 35% solids. After being slurried, an ethanologen may be added. Additionally, the pH of the slurry may be adjusted to between 4.2 and 5.2 to facilitate the priming A primer is added to the slurry. The primer may include any weak acid, and in some embodiments includes acetic acid. Acetic acid, when used as a primer, may be added at a concentration of between 1200 and 3600 parts per million. The slurry is fermented to produce improved yields of ethanol.

Abstract: Assessing quality of feedstock is provided and may be useful for determining quality of feed (such as corn kernels). The assessment determines endogenous enzyme activity within the feedstock, which correlates with total ethanol yields in raw starch hydrolysis (non-cooked) systems. In some embodiments, a sample containing flour (ground feedstock) is provided. In some cases, flour is diluted in water and buffered with a phosphate buffered solution. The buffered flour solution is contacted with a molecule, or fluorescent dye, such as fluorescein diacetate and/or difluorofluorescein that is altered by enzymatic (esterase) activity in a detectable fashion. Enzyme activity may be facilitated using an incubator. The detectible alteration may be measured using a fluorometer. In some embodiments, two incubations and fluorescence measurements can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to using high oil corn to make a biochemical such as ethanol. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of making a biochemical using relatively low temperature saccharification followed by fermentation or simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of high oil corn.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems of pitching yeast to fermentation reactors. More particularly, the present invention involves pitching yeast from one fermentation tank to at least one additional fermentation tank. Advantageously, yeast can be continuously pitched from fermentor to fermentor for as long as practically desirable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for propagating yeast using a feedstock material such as starch and one or more enzymes (e.g., an enzyme cocktail) to break down the feedstock material into one or more monosaccharides at a sufficient rate so that the yeast can use the monosaccharides as a carbon source for producing more yeast cells while not producing an undue amount of alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include fractionating the plant material. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The method can include drying a co-product by ring drying, flash drying, or fluid bed drying. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for propagating yeast using a feedstock material such as starch and one or more enzymes (e.g., an enzyme cocktail) to break down the feedstock material into one or more monosaccharides at a sufficient rate so that the yeast can use the monosaccharides as a carbon source for producing more yeast cells while not producing an undue amount of alcohol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving stillage are disclosed. Stillage may include either whole stillage or thin stillage. The system includes taking the stillage and placing it within a bioreactor with an inoculation of fungi. The fungi may include any of Aspergillus niger, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Yarrowia lipolytica. The fungi and stillage broth is then subjected to fermentation which removes solubles and particulates from the stillage. The fungi generate a biomass material that may be collected and dried for use as a nutritional supplement or other purpose. The remaining liquid is a clarified, treated stillage suitable for a variety of downstream applications, including being used as a backset in an ethanol production facility.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include fractionating the plant material. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The method can include drying a co-product by ring drying, flash drying, or fluid bed drying. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The present invention is also directed to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The present invention also relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving ethanol yield are provided. A feedstock is ground suitably fine for use in fermentation. The feedstock may include corn or any other suitable material. In some cases, the feedstock undergoes a fractionation prior to grinding. The ground feedstock may be slurried with water and enzymes to facilitate conversion of the starch in the feedstock to sugars. The slurry may be about 35% solids. After being slurried, an ethanologen may be added. Additionally, the pH of the slurry may be adjusted to between 4.2 and 5.2 to facilitate the priming A primer is added to the slurry. The primer may include any weak acid, and in some embodiments includes acetic acid. Acetic acid, when used as a primer, may be added at a concentration of between 1200 and 3600 parts per million. The slurry is fermented to produce improved yields of ethanol.

Abstract: Assessing quality of feedstock is provided and may be useful for determining quality of feed (such as corn kernels). The assessment determines endogenous enzyme activity within the feedstock, which correlates with total ethanol yields in raw starch hydrolysis (non-cooked) systems. In some embodiments, a sample containing flour (ground feedstock) is provided. In some cases, flour is diluted in water and buffered with a phosphate buffered solution. The buffered flour solution is contacted with a molecule, or fluorescent dye, such as fluorescein diacetate and/or difluorofluorescein that is altered by enzymatic (esterase) activity in a detectable fashion. Enzyme activity may be facilitated using an incubator. The detectible alteration may be measured using a fluorometer. In some embodiments, two incubations and fluorescence measurements can be performed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include selecting plant material. Selecting can include excluding plant material that has been exposed to high temperatures or that has had high moisture content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include fractionating the plant material. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The method can include drying a co-product by ring drying, flash drying, or fluid bed drying. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions having aqueous corn flour and saccharification enzyme mixtures. In this composition all of the corn flour has particle size of 0.5 mm or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions for producing ethanol, which compositions comprise raw starch and amylase enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include fractionating the plant material. The present invention also relates to methods for producing high protein distiller's dried grain from fermentation of plant material, and to the high protein distiller's dried grain produced. The method can include drying a co-product by ring drying, flash drying, or fluid bed drying. The present invention further relates to reduced stack emissions from drying distillation products from the production of ethanol.