Method and system for distilling alcohol in an alcohol production process
US10118107B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 7, 2017 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E50/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and system for distilling alcohol in an alcohol production process is disclosed. The method can include fermenting a mixture of water and milled grain to produce alcohol-laden beer, which can be distilled in a beer column maintained at a subatmospheric pressure to produce a vapor, primarily including alcohol, and whole stillage. Thin stillage is separated from the whole stillage. Water is evaporated from the separated thin stillage to produce first-concentrated thin stillage and at least a portion of first effect steam. Water from the first-concentrated thin stillage is evaporated with heat from the first effect steam to produce second-concentrated thin stillage and second effect steam. Water is evaporated from the second-concentrated thin stillage with heat from the second effect steam to third effect steam. At least a portion of the third effect steam is used to supply sufficient heat to the beer column for distilling the alcohol-laden beer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.