Systems and methods for stillage fractionation
US9290728B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P60/87
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Systems and methods for fractionating whole stillage from an ethanol production facility are provided. Whole stillage undergoes a separation of its liquid portion (thin stillage) from the solid portion (fiber cake). In some embodiments, the solids and liquids in whole stillage may be separated utilizing a screening centrifuge. The fiber cake may be dried to generate a high fiber animal feed. The thin stillage may be provided to a three-phase separator for separation into an oil emulsion, an aqueous clarified stillage, and a protein paste. The protein paste may be dried to generate a high protein animal feed with greater than about 45% protein content. The clarified thin stillage is condensed to yield a syrup with greater than around 60% solids. The oil emulsion is subjected to a pH adjustment to liberate the oil from the emulsion, which is then separated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.