Abstract: Methods and system for producing a slip stream of sugar, for example for use in the production of one or more chemicals, in ethanol fermentation facilities. In some embodiments, the methods and systems have little to no impact on the level of production of ethanol, despite also producing a slip stream of sugar. The methods and systems can be implemented in dry mill ethanol, wet mill ethanol, and lignocellulosic ethanol fermentation facilities and processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing wastewater after de-sizing. The method includes the step of executing a preliminary treatment on the wastewater to intercept slurry and to stabilize the quality of the wastewater, the step of reducing the pH of the wastewater to a range between 6.0 and 7.5, the step of providing a refractory degradation material 30 for hydrolyzing and hence liquidating starch slurry in the wastewater, the step of separating solids from liquid of the wastewater; and the step of recycling the liquid.

Abstract: The process comprises the steps of: distributing a sugarcane load, with mineral and vegetable impurities, on a conveyor belt (12), forming thereon a sugarcane and impurity mattress; submitting the mattress to a dosing and spreading operation, forming a thin and dispersed curtain in gravitational displacement in a first chamber portion (15); submitting the sugarcane and impurity curtain to a transversal and ascending forced air flow, displacing the impurities outwards from the curtain to the interior of a first collecting compartment (21) and of a second and a third chamber portion (22 and 27); deflecting the fraction of forced air flow, received in the third chamber portion (27), obtusely in a plurality of adjustable “Persian blinds” (28), decompressing the air flow; discharging the clean sugarcane load and the impurities through a clean sugarcane lower outlet (19) and through impurity outlets (21a, 23a and 26a).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of extracting a carbohydrate from a carbohydrate juice, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an adsorbent having unsaturated hydrocarbon groups exposed on its surface wherein said groups are capable of adsorbing a carbohydrate to the (internal) surface of the adsorbent by CH/p interaction, and optionally in addition by hydrogen bonding; b) contacting said raw carbohydrate juice with said adsorbent under conditions by which said carbohydrate is adsorbed to said adsorbent by CH/p interaction, and c) desorbing said carbohydrate from said adsorbent by increasing the temperature of the carbohydrate-adsorbent complex.

Abstract: Use of a high shear mechanical device in a process for production of starch by hydration and disruption of corn kernel particles in the presence of sulfur dioxide or bisulfite ions makes possible a decrease in mass transfer limitations, thereby enhancing starch production. A system for production of starch is also provided in which a high shear mixing device is configured to receive an aqueous corn slurry from a pump that is disposed between the reactor and a gaseous sulfur dioxide inlet of the high shear mixing device. The high shear mixing device is also configured to generate a fine dispersion of sulfur dioxide bubbles and small corn particles in the slurry. A reactor is configured to receive the output from the high shear mixing device and to provide for starch production.

Abstract: A reactor for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose under high pressure and heat has an inlet and outlet each with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the reactor. The pressure and heat in the reactor forms a cellulose plug within the inlet and the outlet. The inlet plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. Cellulose begins to breakdown under heat, pressure, and if required an acid or a lubricant. The outlet plug slows downstream movement of cooking cellulose. Cellulose may be pre-treated by the addition of water, a weak acid, a lubricant, or a combination of the foregoing. The outer surface of the plug cooks faster than the inner core of the plug, becomes a liquefied slurry, and slides faster towards the outlet than the inner core.

Abstract: The reactor pump for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose is configured to pump cellulose, under high pressure, with low availability of sugar into a reactor. The reactor has an upstream transition segment connected to a downstream reaction chamber. The transition segment has an inlet that is smaller than the outlet. The inner walls taper outward. The chamber has an inlet that is larger than the discharge outlet. The inner walls taper inward. The transition segment outlet has an area that is substantially the same as the area of the chamber inlet. Back pressure in the chamber forms a cellulose plug within the inlet of the transition segment. The plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. High pressure pumping forms a cellulose plug within the discharge outlet of the chamber. The plug slows downstream movement of the cooking cellulose giving the cellulose time to cook. Cooking cellulose begins to breakdown under heat and the injection of acid, if required.

Abstract: Plant materials such as corn kernels which contain starch and fiber comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin are refined. The starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin are converted to sugars which are then fermented to ethanol. Additional sources of starch and fiber are optionally added to the refining process to further increase the yield of ethanol.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing corn into one or more corn products including dextrose. In a preferred process, corn is processed and treated with solvent(s) to extract oil. The oil can be subsequently recovered using membrane technology. Zein may also be produced if the solvent is an alcohol. Starch in the deoiled meal is converted to dextrose by liquefaction and saccharification with enzymes. The reaction mixture containing the dextrose and other components is subjected to one or more unit operations such as screening, filtration, and/or membrane technology to produce one or more of corn gluten, soluble protein, dextrose, and fiber.

Abstract: A method for filtering and recovering solids from potato process water that results in a product containing a portion of the solids from the potato process water is presented. In general, the method involves providing a plurality of vessels wherein a step in a manufacturing process takes place in each vessel and wherein at least one step in the manufacturing process produces a potato process water having solids. The potato process water is passed through at least one ultrafilter wherein each ultrafilter produces an ultrafilter (u/f) permeate stream and a u/f concentrate stream. The u/f concentrate stream is collected and reintroduced into at least one vessel in the manufacturing process producing a product containing a portion of the solids from the potato process water. The final characteristics of the product remain essentially unchanged.

Abstract: A grain containing starch, such as corn, is refined. The grain is steeped in water at a temperature of about 125 to 160° F., which water is essentially free of sulfurous acid and contains recycled enzymes from downstream processes, in a counter-current steeping reactor for about 10 to 20 hours to produce an aqueous slurry of steeped grain having a moisture content of about 40 to 50 percent. The various components of the grain are then separated and the starch is converted to ethanol.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous process of raw mixed sugar juice clarification by means of the settlement of insoluble particles and juice precipitate in a cylindrical clarifier tank that permits non-turbulent vertical subsidation and short retention time of the sugar juice in a relatively large, non-turbulent settling sector of the contents of the cylindrical clarifier tank which is maintained by the continuous rotary advancement of the raw mixed sugar juice entry and clear sugar juice and precipitate extraction station arm that rotates within and around the center of the annular shaped cylindrical clarifier tank. The rotating arm has three internal radial compartments which provide for the introduction of raw mixed sugar juice and the extraction of clear sugar juice and precipitate, in and out of the annular clarifier tank in the immediate vicinity of the respective leading and trailing faces of the rotating arm, through adjustable slots on the leading and trailing faces of the arm.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for extracting protein, oil and starch from grain. The method includes: Providing kernels or seeds comprising a germ and pericarp comprising protein, oil, and starch; Steeping the kernels or seeds in a steeping reactor for a time effective to soften the kernels and seeds; Milling the steeped corn kernels to separate the germ from the starch/pericarp forming a germ stream and a starch/pericarp stream; Subjecting the germ to rapid pressurization/depressurization in order to extract oil and protein from the germ; and separating the starch from the pericarp.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the optimization of a four zone simulated moving bed system configured to separate a first component from a mixture containing the first component and a second component wherein the first component exhibits non-linear adsorption and non-negligible mass transfer resistances. In one example, the four zone simulated moving bed is optimized to separate Clarithromycin from a mixture containing Clarithromycin and 6,11-O-methyl erythromycin A. The present invention further comprises a four zone or a five zone apparatus having a first portion and a second portion and the optimization of the four zone or five zone apparatus to separate a first component from a mixture containing the first component and a second component and the method of using the same. In one example, the four zone and five zone simulated moving beds are optimized to separate Clarithromycin from a mixture containing Clarithromycin and 6,11-O-methyl erythromycin A.

Abstract: A continuous process of treated raw mixed sugar juice clarification by means of the settlement of insoluble particles and juice precipitate in a vessel that permits non-turbulent vertical subsidation and short retention time of the sugar juice. The relatively large, non-turbulent settling zone of the clarifier is maintained by the continuous advancement of the mixed juice entry and clear juice and mud extraction station which rotates within and around the annular shaped cylindrical clarifier thus permitting efficient, vertical, turbulent-free subsidation of the mud and precipitate.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for producing ethanol from grain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aloe vera gel extracting apparatus, which consists of a body, a transmission system, a peeling device and a driving mechanism, characterizing in that transmission system comprises an upper and a lower part, with the upper part of the system connected to the body through the belt sheave axle at the right end and the belt sheave axle at the left end connected to the hanger trestle in synchronons vertical movement with it, and the lower part of the system connected to the body at both ends through the sheave axles respectively. The peeling device consists of an edge cutting blade and a peeling blade, wherein the edge cutting blade is set in the slot between the two groups of belt, the upper peeling blade is connected to the hanger trestle and the lower peeling blade is connected direct to the body. The device of the present invention is capable of producing complete bars of aloe vera gel. It is simple-structured, convenient for use and efficient in operation.

Abstract: A food starch seperator comprising a serially connected centrifuge and a membrane seperator further comprising a sintered pipe providing pore flow paths including a pumped source of food plant liquor, outputs for the centrifuge and membrane seperator and a control system to regulate the flow of the food plant liquor.

Abstract: Hydrocyclones and separator assemblies a wherein the hydrocyclones installed in the separator assemblies by a push fit and are under no lateral tensile or compressive stress. The body has an interior defined by an axially-extending frusto-conical separating chamber which extends from an inlet chamber nearer an overflow end to an underflow outlet opening at an underflow end. The body also has a tangential inlet to the inlet chamber. A tubular vortex finder member fits through the overflow end of the body into a cooperating seat therein and is snap fitted in the body. The vortex-finder member is seated in a predetermined position in which a portion thereof extends through the inlet chamber to define the axial overflow outlet from the separating chamber, said portion having a helical guide surface to guide the inlet flow from the tangential inlet towards the separating chamber.

Abstract: In order to obtain starch and proteins from the flour of legumes, in particular peas, the legume flour which has been treated with an aqueous decomposing agent, is fed into a first section (I) of a process line with several solids-liquids separation stages (6, 9, 10) for the purpose of extracting the proteins. The solid phase suspended in water from the final solids-liquids separation stage (10) of the first section (I) is then fed continually into a second section (II) of the process line with at least one separation stage (11) for separating the fibers from the starch and at least one solids-liquids separation stage for separating the starch from the liquid phase. The aqueous decomposing agent is formed from an alkaline concentrate (B) and the liquid phase separated by the starch in the second section of the process line.

Abstract: In a process for applying a sugar solution to the surface of a cereal product, drying the sugar-coated cereal, collecting the fines produced therefrom and recycling the collected fines back into the original sugar solution the improvement that the fines can be contacted with water to form a slurry of dissolved sugar and insoluble cereal which is then separated into a liquid sugar fraction and an insoluble cereal fraction by centrifugation in a solid bowl centrifuge.

Abstract: A spun product from a combination of a saccharide and a hydrophobic ingredient is hydrophilic with low concentrations of such ingredient but becomes increasingly hydrophobic as the concentration of the hydrophobic ingredient is increased, although the end product nevertheless acts hydrophilically when the water temperature is elevated. Larger ratios of hydrophobic substance-to-saccharide yields a spun fibrous product that has increased stability. Similar stabilization can be attained by adding either beeswax or a petrolatum to the saccharide either in the presence of or absence of a separate active ingredient. Examples are given for masking the taste of unpalatable medicaments or other ingestible substances. Delayed release burn or wound dressings are also described. Control with beeswax can also provide a time release tablet or the like when swallowed.

Abstract: An elongated conveyor assembly is provided upon which an aloe vera leaf may be lengthwise disposed and lengthwise advanced from one end of the conveyor toward the other end thereof. First and second cutting stations are spaced along the conveyor assembly and are operative to remove the opposite ends of an aloe vera leaf and to trim the opposite side marginal edges of the leaf therefrom. In addition, third and fourth stations are disposed along the conveyor assembly between the second station and the discharge end of the conveyor assembly and the third station includes structure for peeling the lower rind panel from an aloe vera leaf whose ends and side marginal portions have been removed while the fourth station includes structure for removing the gel layer of the leaf disposed on the upper rind panel thereof and exposed by the removal of the lower rind panel of the leaf.

Abstract: In a process utilizing a battery of hydrocyclones for separating wheat starch and gluten contained in an aqueous wheat flour slurry, the slurry is supplied to a first section of the hydrocyclone battery, in which a gluten fraction is removed as overflow, and the starch-rich fraction from such first battery section is first treated to reduce its pentosan content and is then treated in a second section of the hydrocyclone battery which delivers a concentrated starch fraction as underflow.

Abstract: The method for the production of starch from grain or ground grain products by the wet process comprises a brief steeping of the raw material during which the morphological structures are not broken down by chemical or microbiological processes, and of a comminution of the steeped raw material in a high-pressure apparatus equipped with a splitter head. In this high-pressure apparatus, the steeped raw material is subjected to a pressure of at least 10 bar, fragmented under the action of high shear forces, and exposed to the atmosphere, thus causing the necessary structural breakdown between the starch grains and the protein. For shelled corn after the addition of process water, the shelled corn is fed to a heated pressure steeping apparatus. After a maximum of three hours at a pressure of 10 to 15 bar, the necessary moisture absorption is achieved. Excess water is fed to an evaporator. A pressure reducing apparatus at the output of the steeping apparatus produces a preliminary fragmentation of the corn grains.

Abstract: A starch wet milling process, in which a series of independent classifications and separations is carried out in the production of starch, employs a Starch Gluten Separation Station having a three-stage centrifugation treatment including passing the entire mill stream through a mill stream centrifuge thickener, followed by primary starch centrifuge separation and gluten centrifuge thickening.

Abstract: A system for separating the mill starch fraction in a corn wet milling operation into a protein enriched stream and a starch enriched stream to obtain therefrom a protein-rich product and a starch-rich product. The system utilizes only hydrocyclones arranged in a plurality of separation stages that are divided into two separation zones. The mill starch is fed sequentially through the two separation zones under controlled conditions so as to obtain a protein-rich product from one separation zone and a starch-rich product from the other separation zone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing gluten and starch from a dispersion of wheat, barley or rye endosperm fractions in water. The raw grain is initially milled to produce endosperm fractions suitable for carrying out the subsequent steps of the process. The steps taken in the milling process include breaking the raw grain between a series of fluted rollers, sorting the bran from various grades of semolinas, sizing coarse semolinas by the cutting action of fluted, opposed rollers, pressing and impacting coarse and fine semolinas by a series of smooth, opposed rollers and dissipaters, and finally reducing the tailing from the pressing and impacting steps in a series of smooth or fluted rollers, and dissipaters.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating and recovering starch and gluten from wheat flour dough. It includes a known trough-like vessel having a semicircular, at least partly perforated bottom, dough treatment members mounted on a rotatable shaft extending longitudinally within the vessel, means for adding wash liquid to the vessel, means for withdrawing this wash liquid together with extracted starch via the perforations, means for introducing dough at one end of the vessel and means for discharging gluten at the opposite end. The treatment members are in the form of rotatable radial blades having angularly inclined faces adapted to lift and advance the dough along the vessel while substantially avoiding pressing the dough against the perforated bottom. The blades also have sharpened leading edges adapted to co-operate with fixed cutter bars extending transversely across the vessel.