Processes and systems for dry-milled corn ethanol and corn oil production with improved carbon footprint
US9068205B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P70/10
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention improves corn dry milling in several ways. Integrated corn biorefinery processes are disclosed which can produce ethanol, edible corn oil, DDGS, solvent-extracted meal, power, and optionally crude corn oil, starting from corn. Some variations employ corn fractionation and edible corn oil recovery using liquid carbon dioxide, avoiding hazardous hydrocarbon-based solvents to produce edible corn oil. Some variations employ integration of gas-fired co-generation into the dry-milled corn ethanol plant to significantly reduce energy usage and carbon footprint associated with the overall process. Counter-current drying is preferably employed to produce a high-quality DDGS product with high protein content, low mycotoxin content, and low residual ethanol content.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.