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 to process cellulosic material in a treatment vessel including: introducing the cellulosic material to a processing chamber of the vessel; adding heat energy or pressure to the vessel to hydrolyze the cellulosic material in the processing chamber and dissolve hemi-cellulosic from the cellulosic material; compressing the cellulosic material in the processing chamber; extracting the dissolved hemi-cellulosic material through a screen from the processing section; draining the extracted hemi-cellulosic material from the vessel; and discharging the cellulosic material from the vessel separately from the extracted hemi-cellulosic material.

Abstract: A biomass cooking device including: a treatment vessel having an biomass inlet adapted to receive biomass material to a processing chamber of the vessel, a biomass outlet adapted to discharge from the processing chamber the biomass material processed in the vessel, an extraction region of the vessel and a liquids outlet to the extraction region to discharge dissolved hemi-cellulosic material extracted from the biomass material in the processing chamber; a piston press in the cooking vessel defining a moveable wall of the processing chamber, wherein the piston press moves to reduce the processing chamber and thereby compress the biomass material; and a screen plate in the vessel forming a barrier between the processing chamber and an extraction region of the vessel, the screen plate having apertures to pass the dissolved hemi-cellulosic material through the screen plate from the processing chamber to the extraction region.

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: 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: In apparatus comprising a plurality of hydrocyclone stages connected in cascade as a totally enclosed system, for use in the upgrading of starch or other particulate feedstock, there is provision for recycling part of the underflow stream from the final hydrocyclone stage to the preceding stage.

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: Device for gluten washing including a cylinder of increasing diameter having protruding helical flights. The cylinder presents an outward surface of peaked, elbow-shaped ridges. The cylinder and its helical wings are encompassed by a cylindrical, screen stator and the whole set at an angle above the horizontal in an enclosing tank. The bottom end of the stator is partially open to communicate with a feed hopper while the upper end, along with the cylinder, is subject to spray nozzles. A recirculation system conducts liquid from the bottom to the top of the tank.

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.