Hybrid separation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9376504-B2
Application number	US-201314028020-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 16, 2013
Priority date	Sep 17, 2012
Publication date	Jun 28, 2016
Grant date	Jun 28, 2016

Abstract

This disclosure describes techniques for using a single feedstock of barley to produce a fermented product and a method for filtering a large-particles stream from a liquid stream containing small particles of a process stream using a series of mechanical separation devices to increase yield.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A separation method performed in a production facility to improve yield, the method comprising:
filtering a first large-particles stream from a first liquid stream containing small particles of a process stream by using a first mechanical separation device in a counter-flow wash process in a series;
adding water to the first large-particles stream in a tank to create a lower-solids stream;
heating the lower-solids stream in the tank; and
removing extra water from the lower-solids stream by using a second mechanical separation device in the counter-flow wash process that further separates a second large-particles stream from a second liquid stream containing small particles of the lower-solids stream;
wherein the separation method is performed downstream of liquefaction and upstream of fermentation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lower-solids stream in the tank is heated to a temperature lower than about 90° C. (about 363 K) to remove starch.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lower-solids stream in the tank is heated to a temperature higher than about 100° C. (about 373 K) to leach oil.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first or the second mechanical separation device comprises at least one of a multi-zoned screening apparatus, a paddle screen, a filtration centrifuge, or a pressure screen.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending a portion of the first large-particles stream to a shearing device;
shearing particles in the portion of the first large-particles stream by using the shearing device; and
sending the particles sheared to be combined with the water and the first large-particles stream in the tank to create the lower-solids stream.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the shearing the particles comprises using at least one of a disc mill, an impact mill, a roller mill, a centrifugal pump, a ventri jet, or a hydroheater.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first mechanical separation device produces a solids content of about 18%.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing an increase in ethanol yield ranging from about 1% to about 3%, by fermenting the second liquid stream containing small particles to produce ethanol.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising recovering an increased amount of oil ranging from about 10% to about 50%, by sending the second liquid stream containing small particles through an oil recovery process to recover oil.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
adding water to the second large-particles stream in another tank to create another lower-solids stream; and
heating the another lower-solids stream in the another tank.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
filtering a third large-particles stream from a third liquid stream containing small particles of the process stream by using a third mechanical separation device; and
receiving the third large-particles stream to further separate insolubles from liquids in the third large-particles stream by using a dewatering device.

Assignees

• Icm Inc

Inventors

• Dieker Kurt A
• Gallop Charles C
• Kohl Scott D
• Tjaden Keith
• Mcmillen Justin

Classifications

• C12M45/04

  Phase separators; Separation of non fermentable material; Fractionation · CPC title

• C12P19/02

  Monosaccharides (2-ketogulonic acid C12P7/60) · CPC title

• C12P19/14

  produced by the action of a carbohydrase {(EC 3.2.x)}, e.g. by alpha-amylase {, e.g. by cellulase, hemicellulase} · CPC title

• C12P7/10

  substrate containing cellulosic material · CPC title

• C08B30/042 Primary

  from cereals or grains · CPC title