U.S. patent application number 17/178304 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for method and system for reducing the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion at the back end of a corn dry milling process.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Michael Hora, Neal Jakel, John Kwik.
Application Number | 20210170419 17/178304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005404725 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210170419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hora; Michael ; et
al. |
June 10, 2021 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING THE UNFERMENTABLE SOLIDS CONTENT IN
A PROTEIN PORTION AT THE BACK END OF A CORN DRY MILLING PROCESS
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.
Inventors: |
Hora; Michael; (Marion,
IA) ; Kwik; John; (Bellbrook, OH) ; Jakel;
Neal; (Cedar Rapids, IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC |
Springfield |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005404725 |
Appl. No.: |
17/178304 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16199486 |
Nov 26, 2018 |
10926267 |
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17178304 |
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62599846 |
Dec 18, 2017 |
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62590703 |
Nov 27, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23K 10/38 20160501;
B02C 9/04 20130101; C13K 13/007 20130101; A23J 1/12 20130101; A23K
20/147 20160501; A23K 50/40 20160501; A23K 50/10 20160501; A23K
10/30 20160501; C12P 7/20 20130101; C13K 1/02 20130101; C12P 7/08
20130101; A23K 50/80 20160501; C11B 13/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B02C 9/04 20060101
B02C009/04; C11B 13/00 20060101 C11B013/00; C12P 7/08 20060101
C12P007/08; A23K 10/38 20160101 A23K010/38; A23J 1/12 20060101
A23J001/12; C12P 7/20 20060101 C12P007/20; A23K 50/10 20160101
A23K050/10; A23K 50/80 20160101 A23K050/80; C13K 1/02 20060101
C13K001/02; C13K 13/00 20060101 C13K013/00; A23K 10/30 20160101
A23K010/30; A23K 20/147 20160101 A23K020/147; A23K 50/40 20160101
A23K050/40 |
Claims
1. A method for reducing an unfermentable solids content in a
protein portion at a back end of a starch-containing grain dry
milling process for making biofuel and/or a biochemical, the method
comprising: separating a whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble
solids portion, which includes fiber, and a stillage portion, which
includes protein; adding a counter current wash that is received
from a later step in the method to the stillage portion and
separating the stillage portion into a water soluble solids portion
and a protein portion, wherein the addition of the counter current
wash facilitates separation of a larger concentration of
unfermentable solids into the water soluble solids portion;
thereafter, separately adding a first wash water to the separated
protein portion followed by dewatering the protein portion to
separately provide a centrate portion, which includes first wash
water, and a dewatered protein portion that defines a high protein
grain meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis,
wherein at least a portion of the centrate portion including the
first wash water defines at least a portion of the counter current
wash received from the later step in the method; and recovering the
dewatered protein portion to define the high protein grain meal
that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis, wherein the
recovered protein portion remains separate from the whole stillage
byproduct.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising separating the
remaining portion of the centrate portion into a solids portion and
a liquid portion; and combining the solids portion with the first
wash water that is added to the separated protein portion and
utilizing the liquid portion as backset in a step earlier in the
method.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a second wash
water to the dewatered protein portion and, thereafter, dewatering
the dewatered protein portion to provide a dewatered protein
portion that defines the high protein grain meal and another
centrate portion defining at least another portion of the counter
current wash.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the centrate portion defines both
a portion of the counter current wash and a portion of backset that
is utilized in a step earlier in the method.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein recovering the protein portion
comprises drying the protein portion to define the high protein
grain meal.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to any evaporator step,
separating the stillage portion into a water soluble solids portion
and a protein portion.
7. The method of claim 1 further including separating oil from the
water soluble solids portion to provide an oil portion.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the high protein grain meal
includes at least 50 wt % protein on a dry basis.
9. The method of claim 1 further including separating oil from the
water soluble solids portion to provide an oil portion after
subjecting the separated water soluble solids portion to
evaporation via an evaporator.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein separating the oil from the water
soluble solids portion includes subjecting the water soluble solids
portion to an oil recovery device to separate the oil from the
water soluble solids portion to recover the oil portion.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein separating the whole stillage
byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a stillage portion
includes subjecting the whole stillage byproduct to a filtration
centrifuge, a decanter centrifuge, a pressure screen, or a paddle
screen to separate the whole stillage byproduct into the insoluble
solids portion and the stillage portion.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein separating the stillage portion
into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion includes
subjecting the thin stillage portion to a centrifuge or a cyclone
apparatus to separate the stillage portion into the water soluble
solids portion and the protein portion.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the water soluble solids portion
is recycled back to an earlier step in the method for reuse in the
dry milling process.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the high protein grain meal is a
high protein corn meal.
15. A method for reducing an unfermentable solids content in a
protein portion at a back end of a starch-containing grain dry
milling process for making biofuel and/or a biochemical, the method
comprising: separating a whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble
solids portion, which includes fiber, and a stillage portion, which
includes free oil and protein; adding a counter current wash that
is received from a later step in the method to the stillage portion
and separating the stillage portion into only a water soluble
solids portion and a protein portion, wherein the addition of the
counter current wash facilitates separation of a larger
concentration of unfermentable solids into the water soluble solids
portion; thereafter, separately adding a first wash water to the
separated protein portion followed by dewatering the protein
portion to separately provide a centrate portion, which includes
first wash water, and a dewatered protein portion that defines a
high protein grain meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a
dry basis, wherein at least a portion of the centrate portion
including the first wash water defines at least a portion of the
counter current wash received from the later step in the method;
and recovering the dewatered protein portion to define the high
protein grain meal that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry
basis, wherein the recovered protein portion remains separate from
the whole stillage byproduct.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising separating the
remaining portion of the centrate portion into a solids portion and
a liquid portion; and combining the solids portion with the first
wash water that is added to the separated protein portion and
utilizing the liquid portion as backset in a step earlier in the
method.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising adding a second wash
water to the dewatered protein portion and, thereafter, dewatering
the dewatered protein portion to provide a dewatered protein
portion that defines the high protein grain meal and another
centrate portion defining at least another portion of the counter
current wash.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the centrate portion defines
both a portion of the counter current wash and a portion of backset
that is utilized in a step earlier in the method.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein recovering the protein portion
comprises drying the protein portion to define the high protein
grain meal.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein prior to any evaporator step,
separating the stillage portion into a water soluble solids portion
and a protein portion.
21. The method of claim 15 further including separating oil from
the water soluble solids portion to provide an oil portion.
22. The method of claim 15 wherein the high protein grain meal
includes at least 50 wt % protein on a dry basis.
23. The method of claim 15 further including separating oil from
the water soluble solids portion to provide an oil portion after
subjecting the separated water soluble solids portion to
evaporation via an evaporator.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein separating the oil from the
water soluble solids portion includes subjecting the water soluble
solids portion to an oil recovery device to separate the oil from
the water soluble solids portion to recover the oil portion.
25. The method of claim 15 wherein separating the whole stillage
byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a stillage portion
includes subjecting the whole stillage byproduct to a filtration
centrifuge, a decanter centrifuge, a pressure screen, or a paddle
screen to separate the whole stillage byproduct into the insoluble
solids portion and the stillage portion.
26. The method of claim 15 wherein separating the stillage portion
into a water soluble solids portion and a protein portion includes
subjecting the thin stillage portion to a centrifuge or a cyclone
apparatus to separate the stillage portion into the water soluble
solids portion and the protein portion.
27. The method of claim 15 wherein the water soluble solids portion
is recycled back to an earlier step in the method for reuse in the
dry milling process.
28. The method of claim 15 wherein the high protein grain meal is a
high protein corn meal.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to corn dry milling,
and more specifically, to a method and system for reducing the
unfermentable solids content in a protein portion at the back end
of a corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling
process for making alcohol, such as ethanol, and/or other
biofuels/biochemicals.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wet mill corn processing plants convert corn grain into
several different natural co-products, such as germ (for oil
extraction), gluten feed (high fiber animal feed), gluten meal
(high protein animal feed), and starch-based products, including
ethanol, high fructose corn syrup, or food and industrial starch.
Constructing wet-milling plants is complex and capital-intensive,
and operating them is operationally complex and energy
intensive.
[0003] Dry-mill ethanol plants alternatively have a much lower
capital cost to build and lower operating cost to operate compared
to a wet mill process. Dry milling plants generally convert corn
into only two products, i.e., ethanol and distiller's grains with
solubles. A typical corn dry milling process consists of four major
steps: grain handling and milling, liquefaction and
saccharification, fermentation and distillation, and co-product
recovery. Grain handling and milling is the step in which the corn
is brought into the plant and ground to promote better conversion
of starch to glucose. Liquefaction is the step of converting solids
such as starch to a flowable liquid producing oligosaccharides and
saccharification is where the oligosaccharides are converted into
single glucose molecules. Fermentation is the process of yeast or
bacteria, or as clostridia, for example, converting glucose into a
biofuel or a biochemical, such as ethanol. Distillation is the
process of removing the biofuel or biochemical, such as ethanol,
from the fermentation product. Co-product recovery is the step in
which the corn by-products are de-watered and made ready for
market. There are many known chemical and biological conversion
processes known in the art that utilize yeast, bacteria, or the
like to convert glucose to other biofuels and biochemical
components like ethanol, for example.
[0004] The recovery of alcohol, e.g., butanol, ethanol (a natural
co-product), etc., and other similar compounds, generally begins
with the beer (spent fermentation broth) being sent to a
distillation system. With distillation, ethanol is typically
separated from the rest of the beer through a set of stepwise
vaporizations and condensations. The beer less the alcohol
extracted through distillation is known as whole stillage, which
contains a slurry of the spent grains including corn protein,
fiber, oil, minerals, sugars, and fermentation agent. This
byproduct is too diluted to be of much value at this point and is
further processed to provide the distiller's grains with
solubles.
[0005] In typical processing, when the whole stillage leaves the
distillation column, it is generally subjected at the back end of
the process to a decanter centrifuge to separate insoluble solids
or "wet cake", which includes mostly fiber, from the liquid or
"thin stillage", which includes, e.g., protein, fine fiber, oil,
and amino acids. The thin stillage may be separated into a water
soluble solids portion and a protein portion. After separation, the
water soluble solids portion moves to evaporators to boil away
moisture, leaving a thick syrup that contains soluble (dissolved)
solids. The concentrated syrup is typically mixed with the wet
cake, and the mixture may be sold to beef and dairy feedlots as
distillers wet grain with solubles (DWGS). Alternatively, the wet
cake and concentrated syrup mixture may be dried in a drying
process and sold as distillers dried grain with solubles (DDGS).
The resulting DDGS generally has a crude protein content of about
29% and is a useful feed for cattle and other ruminants due to its
protein and fiber content. The separated protein portion may be
sent, via a protein stream, to be dewatered and dried to form a
high protein corn meal product. The centrate from the dewatering of
the protein stream can be recycled back to the front end of the
corn dry milling process, i.e., at some point prior to fermention,
as backset. However, the recycled centrate can include an
undersirable amount of unfermentable solids that can inhibit
fermentation and/or decrease the amount of corn starch solids in
the front end of the corn dry milling process.
[0006] It would be beneficial to provide a method and system that
can reduce the amount of undersirable unfermentable solids in the
separated protein portion thereby improving the throughput of the
corn dry milling process and increasing overall protein yield gain,
for example.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention relates to a method and system for
reducing the unfermentable solids (e.g., carbohydrates, as well as
minerals, fiber, or the like) content in protein portion, via a
counter current wash, at the back end of a corn (or similar
carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process for making
alcohol, such as ethanol, and/or other biofuels/biochemical. The
corn or other similar carbohydrate materials, such as wheat,
barley, triticale, sorghum, tapioca, cassava, potato, rye, and
other grains, include protein that can be eventually recovered
therefrom as a product of the biofuel and/or biochemical dry
milling process.
[0008] In one embodiment, a protein portion that is separated from
a stillage stream subsequent to insoluble solids (wet cake)
separation from the whole stillage may be sent, such as via a
protein stream, to be optionally dewatered to form a dewatered
protein portion and a resulting centrate. A portion of the centrate
may be used as a protein counter current wash after the protein
portion is separated from the stillage portion. The remainder of
the centrate may be recycled back to the front end of the corn dry
milling process, i.e., at some point prior to fermention, as
backset. Additionally the centrate may be further processed to
yield, for example, a fertilizer or herbicide, or used as a raw
material feed to produce a protein rich feed or food product.
[0009] In another embodiment, a protein portion that is separated
from a stillage stream subsequent to insoluble solids (wet cake)
separation from the whole stillage may be sent, such as via a
protein stream, to be dewatered multiple times to form a dewatered
protein portion and a resulting centrate. A portion of the centrate
may be used as a protein counter current wash after the protein
portion is separated from the from the stillage stream. The
remainder of the centrate may be recycled back to the front end of
the corn dry milling process, i.e., at some point prior to
fermention, as backset. Additionally the centrate may be further
processed to yield, for example, a fertilizer or herbicide, used as
a raw material feed to produce a protein rich feed or food product,
or converted to energy.
[0010] In another embodiment, the remainder of the centrate can be
further separated into a solids portion, including protein, and a
liquid portion, including water soluble solids, with the liquid
portion being utilized as backset and the solids portion being
recycled back into the protein stream to provide a purer protein
product and increase overall protein yield.
[0011] In still another embodiment, the protein portion that is
separated from the stillage stream subsequent to insoluble solids
(wet cake) separation from the whole stillage may be sent, such as
via a protein stream, to be dewatered only once to form a dewatered
protein portion and a resulting centrate. A portion of the centrate
may be used as a protein counter current wash after the protein
portion is separated from the stillage stream. And the remainder of
the centrate can be further separated into a solids portion,
including protein, and a liquid portion, including water soluble
solids, with the liquid portion being utilized as backset and the
solids portion being recycled back into the protein stream to
provide a purer protein product and increase overall protein
yield.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, a method for reducing an
unfermentable solids content in a protein portion at a back end of
a starch-containing grain dry milling process for making biofuel
and/or a biochemical includes separating a whole stillage byproduct
into an insoluble solids portion, which includes fiber, and a
stillage portion, which includes protein. Next, counter current
wash water that is received from a later step in the method is
added to the stillage portion and the stillage portion is
separated, via weights, into a water soluble solids portion and a
protein portion, wherein the addition of the counter current wash
water facilitates separation of a larger concentration of
unfermentable solids into the water soluble solids portion. Then,
the protein portion is recovered to define a high protein corn meal
that includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis. Recovering
the protein portion can include dewatering or drying the protein
portion, or dewatering followed by drying the protein portion to
define the high protein corn meal.
[0013] In still another embodiment, a system for reducing an
unfermentable solids content in a protein portion at a back end of
a starch-containing grain dry milling process for making biofuel
and/or a biochemical includes a first apparatus that receives a
whole stillage byproduct produced via the starch-containing grain
dry milling process, wherein the first apparatus separates the
whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion, which
includes fiber, and a stillage portion, which includes protein. A
second apparatus is situated after the first apparatus and prior to
any evaporator. The second apparatus is configured to receive the
stillage portion from the first apparatus and counter current wash
water from a later apparatus in the system and to separate the
stillage portion, via weights, into a water soluble solids portion
and a protein portion, wherein the addition of the counter current
wash water facilitates separation of a larger concentration of
unfermentable solids into the water soluble solids portion. A third
apparatus is situated after the second apparatus and recovers the
separated protein portion to define a high protein corn meal that
includes at least 40 wt % protein on a dry basis. In one example,
the first apparatus is a filtration centrifuge, a decanter
centrifuge, a pressure screen, or a paddle screen, the second
apparatus is a nozzle centrifuge or a cyclone apparatus, and the
third apparatus is a decanter centrifuge or dryer.
[0014] In another embodiment, the system includes a fourth
apparatus that is situated after the second apparatus and before
the third apparatus. The fourth apparatus is configured to receive
a mixture of the separated protein portion from the second
apparatus and wash water and further configured to dewater the
protein portion to provide a dewatered protein portion and a
centrate portion that defines at least a portion of the counter
current wash water. Here, the third apparatus is situated after the
fourth apparatus and recovers the dewatered protein portion to
define the high protein corn meal. In one example, the fourth
apparatus is a decanter centrifuge and the third apparatus is a
dryer.
[0015] The protein counter current wash reduces impurities, such as
unfermentable solids (e.g., carbohydrates, as well as minerals,
fiber, or the like), in the protein portion and the centrate. Due
to the reduced unfermentable solids content in the recycled
centrate, more corn may be processed in the corn dry milling
process. That is, corn throughput in the corn dry milling process
can be increased. Also, a purer protein product and overall protein
yield gain can result.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with a general description of the
invention given above, and the detailed description of the
embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a prior art dry milling process
and system for producing ethanol and distiller's grains with
solubles;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method and system for reducing
the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion in a corn dry
milling process for making alcohol in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method and system for reducing
the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion in a corn dry
milling process for making alcohol and/or other
biofuels/biochemicals in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method and system for reducing
the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion in a corn dry
milling process for making alcohol and/or other
biofuels/biochemicals in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method and system for reducing
the unfermentable solids content in a protein portion in a corn dry
milling process for making alcohol and/or other
biofuels/biochemicals in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention is directed to a method and system for
reducing the unfermentable solids (e.g., carbohydrates) content in
a protein portion, via a counter current wash, at the back end of a
corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process
for making a biofuel, e.g., alcohol, such as ethanol, or a
biochemical, e.g., lactic acid.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a prior art corn dry milling
process for producing alcohol, such process is fully discussed in
U.S. Pat. No. 8,778,433, entitled "Methods for producing a high
protein corn meal from a whole stillage byproduct". A significant
portion of alcohol, e.g., ethanol, in the United States is produced
from dry milling processes, which convert corn into two products,
namely ethanol and distiller's grains with solubles. Although
virtually any type and quality of grain, such as but not limited to
sorghum, wheat, triticale, barley, rye, tapioca, cassava, potato,
and other starch containing grains can be used to produce ethanol,
the feedstock for this process is typically corn referred to as
"No. 2 Yellow Dent Corn."
[0024] With specific reference to FIG. 1, a typical corn dry
milling process 10 begins with a milling step 12 in which dried
whole corn kernels are passed through hammer mills to grind them
into meal or a fine powder. The ground meal is mixed with water to
create a slurry, and a commercial enzyme such as alpha-amylase is
added. This slurry is then typically pH adjusted and heated in a
pressurized jet cooking process 14 to solubilize the starch in the
ground meal. This is followed by a liquefaction step 16 at which
point additional alpha-amylase may be added. The alpha-amylase
hydrolyzes the gelatinized starch into maltodextrins and
oligosaccharides to produce a liquefied mash or slurry.
[0025] This can be followed by separate saccharification and
fermentation steps, 18 and 20, respectively, which may include a pH
and temperature adjustment from the separate liquefaction step,
although in most commercial dry milling ethanol processes,
saccharification and fermentation occur simultaneously. In the
saccharification step 18, the liquefied mash is cooled and a
commercial enzyme, such as gluco-amylase, is added to hydrolyze the
maltodextrins and short-chained oligosaccharides into single
glucose sugar molecules. In the fermentation step 20, a common
strain of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisae) is added to metabolize
the glucose sugars into ethanol and CO.sub.2. Other fermentation
agents such as bacteria and clustridia can be utilized. Upon
completion, the fermentation mash ("beer") will contain about 17%
to 18% ethanol (volume/volume basis), plus soluble and insoluble
solids from all the remaining grain components, including fiber,
protein, minerals, and oil, for example. Yeast can optionally be
recycled in a yeast recycling step 22. In some instances, the
CO.sub.2 is recovered and sold as a commodity product.
[0026] Subsequent to the fermentation step 20 is a distillation and
dehydration step 24 in which the beer is pumped into distillation
columns where it is boiled to vaporize the ethanol. The ethanol
vapor after exiting the top of the distillation column is condensed
and liquid alcohol (in this instance, ethanol) is about 95% purity
(190 proof). The 190 proof ethanol can then go through a molecular
sieve dehydration column or a membrane separation unit or similar
dehydration system, which removes the remaining residual water from
the ethanol, to yield a final product of essentially 100% ethanol
(199.5 proof).
[0027] Finally, at the back end, a centrifugation step 26 involves
centrifuging, via a decanter centrifuge, the residuals or whole
stillage leftover from distillation so as to separate the insoluble
solids portion or "wet cake", which includes fiber, from the liquid
portion or "thin stillage" portion, which includes protein, amino
acids, oil, fine fiber, etc. Next, the thin stillage portion enters
evaporators in an evaporation step 28 in order to boil away
moisture thereby leaving a thick syrup, which contains the soluble
(dissolved) solids as well as protein and oil. This concentrated
syrup is typically referred to as corn condensed distillers soluble
and is mixed with the centrifuged wet cake then sold to beef and
dairy feedlots as distillers wet grain with solubles (DWGS). The
wet cake and concentrated syrup mixture may be further dried in a
drying step 30 and sold as distillers dried grain with solubles
(DDGS) to dairy and beef feedlots and/or the monogastric markets.
The distiller's grains with solubles co-product provides a critical
secondary revenue stream that offsets a portion of the overall
ethanol production cost.
[0028] In accordance with the present invention, FIG. 2
schematically illustrates an embodiment of a method and system,
collectively numeral 32, for reducing the unfermentable solids
(e.g., carbohydrates) content in a protein portion, via a back end
counter current wash, with such protein initially separated with
the stillage stream (centrate) from the whole stillage byproduct
produced in a typical corn dry-milling process 10, like that just
described in FIG. 1. While a typical whole stillage byproduct is
utilized here, it should be understood that the whole stillage from
any corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling
process may be utilized with the same or similar results. Again,
the whole stillage byproduct contains a slurry of soluble and
insoluble solids, i.e., the spent grains from the distillation and
dehydration step 24, which can include amino acids, protein, fiber,
minerals, and free oil, for example, that can be processed in
accordance with embodiments of this invention.
[0029] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, the whole stillage
byproduct can be piped from the typical corn dry milling
distillation and dehydration step 24 and subjected to an optional
paddle screen 34. The optional paddle screen 34 is situated before
a filtration centrifuge 40, which is further discussed below, so as
to aid ultimately in separation of the insoluble solids portion,
e.g., fiber, from the resulting stillage portion by initially
filtering out desirable amounts of water, amino acids, protein,
and, incidentally, small fiber fines from the whole stillage
byproduct. This initial screening can help reduce the resulting
load on the subsequent filtration centrifuge 40. The resulting
thrus (centrate) from the paddle screen 34 eventually joins with
the stillage underflow (centrate) from the filtration centrifuge
40, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
[0030] To filter the whole stillage byproduct, the optional paddle
screen 34 can include screen openings of no greater than about 500
microns. In another example, the paddle screen 34 can include
openings therein of no greater than about 400 microns. In yet
another example, the openings therein are no greater than about 300
microns. In yet another example, the paddle screen 34 can include
openings therein of no greater than about 150 microns and yet
another example, the paddle screen 34 can include openings therein
of no greater than about 50 microns. It should be understood that
these values are exemplary and that those of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize how to determine the size of the openings to
achieve the desired filtration. In one example, the optional paddle
screen 34 is a standard type paddle screen as is known in the art.
One such suitable paddle screen 34 is the FQ-PS32 available from
Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio. It should be understood that
the optional paddle screen 34 may be replaced with other types of
pre-concentration devices, e.g., a standard pressure screen, conic
centrifuge, cyclone, or hydroclone, which can perform the desired
filtration or preconcentration function. One such suitable pressure
screen is the PS-Triple available from Fluid-Quip, Inc. of
Springfield, Ohio. In addition, although a single paddle screen 34
is depicted, it should be understood that a plurality of screens 34
may be situated in-line, either in series or in parallel, and
utilized for filtering the whole stillage byproduct.
[0031] The whole stillage from the distillation and dehydration
step 24, if the optional paddle screen 34 is not present, or the
cake (solids) from the optional paddle screen 34 is sent to the
filtration centrifuge 40 whereat the whole stillage byproduct or
cake is separated into the insoluble solids portion, which includes
fiber, and the stillage portion (centrate), which includes amino
acids, protein, free oil, etc. One such suitable filtration
centrifuge is described in Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,813,973
entitled "Apparatus and Method for Filtering a Material from a
Liquid Medium", the contents of which are expressly incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety. The filtration centrifuge 40 may
be configured to perform both the initial filtering (sometimes
referred to as a pre-concentration) of the whole stillage byproduct
and washing of the fiber so as to clean the fiber and remove the
amino acids, protein, free oil, and other components that remain
associated with the fiber after the initial filtration or
pre-concentration.
[0032] With respect to the filtration centrifuge 40, the washing of
the fiber may include a washing cycle, wherein the fiber is mixed
and rinsed in wash water, followed by a de-watering cycle, wherein
the wash water is separated from the fiber. The washing of the
fiber may include multiple rinsing/de-watering cycles.
Additionally, a counter current washing technique may be employed
to save wash water usage. After washing the fiber, but before the
fiber exits the centrifuge, the fiber may go through an enhanced
de-watering stage, a compaction stage, and/or an air dry stage to
further de-water or dry the fiber. This may reduce the dryer
capacity or eliminate the dryer altogether. Eventually, the washed
and filtered fiber exits the filtration centrifuge 40 so that the
fiber can be further processed, as discussed further below,
including dried, to result in a desired product, such as DWG(S) or
DDG(S), which can be marketed or sold as is. In one example, the
fiber can be transported to a remote site for further processing.
Moreover, any separated out portion of slurry from the fiber, e.g.,
water, amino acids, protein, free oil, wash water, etc., which
occurs via screening, is collected to define the stillage
(centrate), then transported and further processed as described
below. Optionally, a portion of the slurry and/or wash water may be
piped back to the optional paddle screen 34 for further
reprocessing. The filtration centrifuge 40 may provide the filtered
material at a water concentration of between about 55% and about
75% water, which is a significant reduction compared to
conventional filtration systems.
[0033] With continuing reference to FIG. 2, although a single
filtration centrifuge 40 is depicted, it should be understood that
a plurality of filtration centrifuges 40, either in parallel or
series, may be situated in-line and utilized for separating the
whole stillage byproduct into its insoluble solids portion (fiber)
and stillage (centrate) portion. And in an alternate embodiment, it
is contemplated that the filtration centrifuge 40 can be replaced
by a standard pressure screen, decanter centrifuge, a paddle
screen, or other like devices as are known in the art to separate
the whole stillage byproduct into the insoluble solids portion and
stillage (centrate) portion. One such suitable pressure screen is
the PS-Triple available from Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio.
One such suitable decanter centrifuge is the NX-944HS available
from Alfa Laval of Lund, Sweden. And one such suitable paddle
screen is the FQ-PS32 available from Fluid-Quip, Inc. of
Springfield, Ohio. To further enhance the separation of non-protein
components from the remaining kernel components, a flocculent can
optionally be added to the whole stillage prior to a first
separation step. A flocculent may help bind fiber and other kernel
components together, making separation of those particles more
efficient, thus resulting in improved protein recovery
downstream.
[0034] As further shown in FIG. 2, the centrate (underflow) from
the filtration centrifuge 40 is piped to join up with the thrus
(centrate) from the optional paddle screen 34 prior to or at an
optional standard pressure screen 50, as is known in the art, to
further aid in separation of any fine fiber from the stillage
(centrate) portion. If the optional paddle screen 34 is not
present, the stillage underflow from the filtration centrifuge 40
is sent directly to optional pressure screen 50. Prior to being
subjected to the optional pressure screen 50, the stillage can
include protein contained within the kernel of corn and protein
from the fermentation agent. The protein content within this stream
ranges from about 24.8% to 33.2% and solids content within this
stream ranges from 5% to 15%.
[0035] Fiber having a size less than that of the screen of the
filtration centrifuge 40 and/or optional paddle screen 34 may pass
through and to subsequent steps of the corn dry milling process. At
the pressure screen 50, the separated fine fiber can be separated
from the stillage and piped back to the filtration centrifuge 40 or
similar unit operations whereat the fine fiber may be filtered out
to be further processed. One such suitable pressure screen 50 is
the PS-Triple available from Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio.
In an alternate embodiment, the optional pressure screen 50 may be
replaced with a standard paddle screen or decanter centrifuge, as
are mentioned above, or other like device, such as a filtration
centrifuge, to aid in separation of the fine fiber from the
stillage portion. In addition, although a single pressure screen 50
is depicted, it should be understood that a plurality of pressure
screens 50, either in parallel or series, may be situated in-line
and utilized for filtering the stillage underflow.
[0036] After the optional pressure screen 50, the remaining
stillage portion can include a total protein content, as measured
in a spin tube, of about 10 ml/50 ml of liquid sample. Additional
protein that is water soluble will be in the supernate of the spun
sample (water portion on top of the solid portion of the spun
sample). The amount of protein in the spun sample can vary due to a
number of factors; the value here represents an average. The
protein content in the spun sample may be smaller or larger
depending on upstream process variations and initial corn kernel
protein content. The protein content in a 50 ml spin tube can have
a range from about 5 ml up to 25 ml.
[0037] The remaining stillage portion from the optional pressure
screen 50 is piped and subjected to a nozzle centrifuge 52, as is
known in the art, to separate the stillage portion into a protein
portion and a water soluble solids portion. Alternatively, if the
optional pressure screen 50 is not present, the centrate can be
sent directly to the nozzle centrifuge 52. The temperature of the
stillage (centrate) portion entering the nozzle centrifuge 52 may
be in a range of from 170.degree. F. to 190.degree. F. In another
example, the temperature may be in a range from about 170.degree.
F. to 185.degree. F. In yet another example, the temperature may be
in a range from about 170.degree. F. to 180.degree. F. In another
example, the temperature may be in a range from about 180.degree.
F. to 185.degree. F. The nozzle centrifuge 52 can be provided with
washing capabilities so that a protein counter current wash, along
with the stillage portion, can be supplied to the nozzle centrifuge
52. As described below, the protein counter current wash can
include a portion of the centrate from the subsequent dewatering of
the separated protein portion at decanter centrifuge 54. Thus, the
water in the protein counter current wash has already undergone a
first wash, as further discussed below. In one embodiment, the
protein counter current wash may include a dry solids content of
about 2 to 8%. In another example, the protein counter current wash
may include a dry solids content of about 2 to 6%. In yet another
example, the protein counter current wash may include a dry solids
content of about 2 to 4%. In another example, the protein counter
current wash may include a dry solids content of about 3 to 5%. In
yet another example, the protein counter current wash may include a
dry solids content of about 4 to 6%. It should be understood by one
skilled in the art that there are many upstream process conditions
that can vary the final counter current wash solids and that the
ranges provided are exemplary and not absolute values.
[0038] At the nozzle centrifuge 52, the protein counter current
wash allows for easier separation of the stilage stream into the
protein portion and the water soluble solids portion, which
includes a larger concentration of unfermentable solids due to the
counter current wash. In particular, the heavier protein portion
separates from the lighter water soluble solids portion and is
removed as the underflow whereas the lighter water soluble solids
portion, which includes free oil as well as unfermentable solids
(e.g., carbohydrates), can be removed as the overflow. The protein
counter current wash reduces the amount of unfermentable solids
from the resulting protein portion compared to using water, e.g,
"clean" water, that has not previously undergone a wash (e.g., cook
water or condensate). The protein counter current wash may also
increase the amount of protein separated from the stillage portion
into the protein portion. In other words, more unfermentable
solids, such as carbohydrates (e.g., glycerol, oligosaccharides,
polysaccharides, starch, as well as fine fiber), are separated from
the protein portion and exit the nozzle centrifuge 52 in the water
soluble solids portion. In one embodiment, the nozzle centrifuge 52
may operate at about 2900 RPM. In another example, the nozzle
centrifuge 52 may operate at about 2600 to 3300 RPM. It should
noted that different equipment and different equipment size have
different RPM ranges and this information is only for exemplary
purposes. One such suitable nozzle centrifuge 52 is the FQC-950
available from Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio. In an
alternate embodiment, the nozzle centrifuge 52 can be replaced with
a standard cyclone apparatus or other like device, as are known in
the art, to separate the stillage portion into the underflow
protein portion and overflow water soluble solids portion. One such
suitable cyclone apparatus is the RM-12-688 available from
Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio. In addition, although a
single nozzle centrifuge 52 is depicted, it should be understood
that a plurality of nozzle centrifuges 52, either in parallel or
series, may be situated in-line and utilized here.
[0039] The underflow protein portion from the nozzle centrifuge 52
may be transported to a storage tank 53 and mixed with water, e.g.,
"clean" water/cook water or condensate, to further dilute the
separated protein portion. The addition of clean water (e.g., cook
water) before the decanter centrifuge 54 at tank 53 acts as a wash
and occurs after the protein counter current wash that occurs at
the nozzle centrifuge 52. In one embodiment, the added cook water
can include a dry solids content of about 2 to 8%. In another
example, the added cook water can include a dry solids content of
about 2 to 4%. In another example, the added cook water can include
a dry solids content of about 3 to 5%. In another example, the
added cook water can include a dry solids content of about 4 to
6%.
[0040] The diluted protein portion from the tank 53 can be sent to
decanter centrifuge 54 whereat the protein portion is dewatered to
provide a dewatered protein portion. The additional cook water
added to the underflow protein portion at tank 53 aids in further
reducing the unfermentable solids content in the dewatered protein
portion that exits the decanter centrifuge 54. The dry solids
content of the dewatered protein portion may be, for example, in a
range of from about 18 to 60%. In another example, the dry solids
content of the dewatered protein portion is in a range of from
about 30 to 60%. In another example, the dry solids content of the
dewatered protein portion is in a range of from about 19 to 30%. In
yet another example, the dry solids content of the dewatered
protein portion is in a range of from about 18 to 35%, 23 to 33%,
or 25 to 27%. In yet another example, the dry solids content of the
dewatered protein portion is in a range of from about 19 to 22%.
The decanter centrifuge 54 is standard and known in the art. The
decanter centrifuge 54 may operate at about 2600 to 3300 RPM. In
another example, the range can be 2950 to 3100 RPM. In another
example, the range can be 2950 to 3100 RPM. In yet another example,
the range can be 2700 to 2950 RPM. In yet another example, the
decanter centrifuge 54 may operate at about 3050 RPM. It should
noted that different equipment and different equipment size have
different RPM ranges and this information is only for exemplary
purposes. One such suitable decanter centrifuge 54 is the NX-944HS
available One such suitable decanter centrifuge 54 is the NX-944HS
available from Alfa Laval of Lund, Sweden. In addition, although a
single decanter centrifuge 54 is depicted, it should be understood
that a plurality of decanter centrifuges 54 may be situated
in-line, either in series or parallel, and utilized here. In an
alternate embodiment, the decanter centrifuge 54 may be replaced
with a standard filter press or rotary vacuum, or other like
device, as are known in the art, to dewater the stillage
portion.
[0041] As described above, at least a portion of the centrate from
the decanter centrifuge 54 can be recycled back to the nozzle
centrifuge 52 to act as the protein counter current wash. The
remainder of the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 54 may be
recycled back to the front end as backset, for example, to the
slurry prior to the jet cooking process 14, to liquefaction step
16, or to the fermentation step 20 for reuse in the dry milling
process. As a result of the protein counter current wash, the
unfermentable solids content in the centrate is also reduced such
that fewer unfermentable solids get recycled back into the dry
milling process. The centrate may have a dry solids content of
about 2.0% to 6.0% compared to a content of about 6.5% in a process
without the protein counter current wash. In another example,
centrate may have a dry solids content of about 5.9%. This
reduction in unfermentable solids in the centrate that is recycled
back to the front end of the dry milling process may allow for more
corn, or another grain, to be processed at one time. In other
words, production throughput can increase as a result of the
protein counter current wash. Additional benefits of the protein
counter current wash include improved capture efficiency of the
nozzle centrifuge 52 and the decanter centrifuge 54 as well as the
flexibility to fine tune the protein purity by adjusting the amount
of water added to the protein portion before entering the decanter
centrifuge 54. Also, a purer protein product and overall protein
yield gain can result.
[0042] The dewatered protein portion from the decanter centrifuge
54 can be further optionally dried, such as by being sent to a
dryer 57, e.g., a spray dryer, ring dryer, flash dryer, compression
dryer, or a crystallizer, as is known in the art. In another
embodiment, the dewatered protein portion can be subjected to
vacuum filtration or other dewatering and drying methods, as are
known in the art. The final dried protein portion or product
defines a high protein corn meal that may be sold at a much higher
price per ton than DDGS or DWGS.
[0043] Returning now to the separated water soluble solids portion
or filtrate from the nozzle centrifuge 52, which includes an
increased unfermentable solids content, free oil as well as
minerals, sugar and soluble proteins, the separated water soluble
solids portion may be recycled back, for example, to the
liquefaction step 16 or the fermentation step 20 for reuse in the
dry milling process. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 2, the water soluble solids portion can be piped from the
nozzle centrifuge 52 and subjected to a set of three evaporators
60a, 60b, and 60c, as are known in the art, to begin separating the
soluble solids from the water soluble solids portion. The
evaporators 60a-c evaporate the liquid portion of the water soluble
solids portion. Thereafter, the water soluble solids portion can be
piped and subjected to an optional oil recovery centrifuge 61, as
is known in the art, so that oil can be removed therefrom. One such
suitable oil recovery centrifuge 261 is the ORPX 617 available from
Alfa Laval of Lund, Sweden. In one example, the final recovered oil
product can include between about 30 wt % to about 60 wt % of the
total corn oil in the corn. In comparison to typical oil recovery
in a standard dry milling process, oil recovery centrifuge 61 can
function at a higher capacity because the water soluble solids
portion, which is subjected to the oil recovery centrifuge 61,
includes less liquid and less protein and fiber than normal.
[0044] The remainder of the water soluble solids portion can be
piped and subjected to another set of three evaporators 60d, 60e,
and 60f whereat the liquid portion is further evaporated from the
water soluble solids portion to ultimately yield a soluble solids
portion. While the water soluble solids portion is subjected to two
sets of three evaporators 60a-c, 60d-f, it should be understood
that the number of evaporators and sets thereof can be varied,
i.e., can be more or less, from that shown depending on the
particular application and result desired. Additionally, this
soluble solids stream can be further processed as a raw material
feed source, such as for a bio-digester to produce biofuels and/or
biochemicals, an algae feed source, or further processed via
fermentation, for example, to yield a high protein nutrient
feed.
[0045] The resulting soluble solids portion may be combined with
the insoluble solids portion, e.g., fiber, received from the
filtration centrifuge 40 to provide distillers wet grains with
soluble (DWGS), which may be further dried by a drier 62, as is
known in the art, to provide distillers dry grains with solubles
(DDGS), both of which can be sold to dairy or beef feedlots,
monogastric markets for monogastric animals, or as pet food or
aquaculture. In another example, the soluble solids portion may be
used as a natural fertilizer. In another example, the soluble
solids portion may be used as a raw material feed source for
conversion to simple sugar, which can be further converted to
biofuel or used in other biochemical processes.
[0046] Accordingly, in this dry-milling process, neither the DDGS
nor DWGS receive the typical concentrated syrup from the
evaporators 60. And, despite the lower protein content, the DDGS
and DWGS may still be sold to beef and dairy feedlots as cattle
feed or other animal feed markets.
[0047] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, FIG.
3 schematically illustrates a method and system, collectively
numeral 100, for reducing the unfermentable solids (e.g.,
carbohydrates) content in a protein portion, via a back end counter
current wash, with such protein initially separated with the
stillage (centrate) from the whole stillage byproduct produced in a
typical corn dry-milling process 10, like that described in FIG. 1.
Again, while a typical whole stillage byproduct is utilized here,
it should be understood that the whole stillage from any corn (or
similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process may be
utilized with the same or similar results.
[0048] FIG. 3 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 2, with the
exception that there is an additional tank 55 and decanter
centrifuge 56 after the initial tank 53 and decanter centrifuge 54
that follows nozzle centrifuge 52 discussed above with respect to
FIG. 2. The protein counter current wash can include a portion of
the centrate from the subsequent dewatering of the separated
protein portion at decanter centrifuges 54 and 56, as discussed
below.
[0049] In particular and with further reference to FIG. 3, the
dewatered protein portion from the decanter centrifuge 54 may be
transported to another storage tank 55 and mixed with water, e.g.,
"clean" water/cook water or condensate, to further dilute the
dewatered protein portion, as above discussed with respect to the
separated protein portion. The addition of clean water (e.g., cook
water) at storage tank 54 acts as another wash. In one embodiment,
the added cook water can include a dry solids content of about 2 to
8%. In another example, the added cook water can include a dry
solids content of about 2 to 4%. In another example, the added cook
water can include a dry solids content of about 3 to 5%. In another
example, the added cook water can include a dry solids content of
about 4 to 6%.
[0050] The diluted protein portion from the tank 55 can be sent to
another decanter centrifuge 56 whereat the protein portion is
further dewatered to again provide a dewatered protein portion. The
additional cook water added to the dewatered protein portion at
tank 55 aids in further reducing the unfermentable solids content
in the dewatered protein portion that exits the decanter centrifuge
56. The dry solids content of the resulting dewatered protein
portion after the decanter centrifuge 56 may be, for example, in a
range of from about 18 to 60%. In another example, the dry solids
content of the dewatered protein portion is in a range of from
about 30 to 60%. In another example, the dry solids content of the
dewatered protein portion is in a range of from about 19 to 30%. In
yet another example, the dry solids content of the dewatered
protein portion is in a range of from about 18 to 35%, 23 to 33%,
or 25 to 27%. In yet another example, the dry solids content of the
dewatered protein portion is in a range of from about 19 to 22%.
The decanter centrifuge 56 is standard and known in the art. The
decanter centrifuge 56 may operate at about 2600 to 3300 RPM. In
another example, the range can be 2950 to 3100 RPM. In another
example, the range can be 2950 to 3100 RPM. In yet another example,
the range can be 2700 to 2950 RPM. In yet another example, the
decanter centrifuge 56 may operate at about 3050 RPM. It should
noted that different equipment and different equipment size have
different RPM ranges and this information is only for exemplary
purposes. One such suitable decanter centrifuge 56 is the NX-944HS
available from Alfa Laval of Lund, Sweden. In addition, although a
single decanter centrifuge 56 is depicted, it should be understood
that a plurality of decanter centrifuges 56 may be situated
in-line, either in series or parallel, and utilized here. In an
alternate embodiment, the decanter centrifuge 56 may be replaced
with a standard filter press or rotary vacuum, or other like
device, as are known in the art, to dewater the stillage
portion.
[0051] The centrate from the decanter centrifuge 56 can be joined
up with the centrate from decanter centrifuge 54, as shown in FIG.
3, such that at least a portion of the centrate from the decanter
centrifuge 56 (along with at least a portion of the centrate from
nozzle centrifuge 54) can be recycled back to the nozzle centrifuge
52 to act as the protein counter current wash. And the remainder of
the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 56 (along with the
remainder of the centrate from nozzle centrifuge 54) may be
recycled back to the front end as backset, for example, to the
slurry prior to the jet cooking process 14, to the liquefaction
step 16, or to the fermentation step 20 for reuse in the dry
milling process. As a result of the protein counter current wash,
the unfermentable solids content in the combined centrate can be
reduced such that fewer unfermentable solids get recycled back into
the dry milling process. The centrate may have a dry solids content
of about 2.0% to 6.0% compared to a content of about 6.5% in a
process without the protein counter current wash. In another
example, centrate may have a dry solids content of about 5.9%. This
reduction in unfermentable solids in the centrate that is recycled
back to the front end of the dry milling process may allow for more
corn, or another grain, to be processed at one time. In other
words, production throughput can increase as a result of the
protein counter current wash. Additional benefits of the protein
counter current wash include improved capture efficiency of the
nozzle centrifuge 52 and the decanter centrifuges 54, 56 as well as
the flexibility to fine tune the protein purity by adjusting the
amount of water added to the protein portion before entering the
decanter centrifuges 54, 56. Also, a purer protein product and
overall protein yield gain can result.
[0052] Although not depicted in FIG. 3, it should be appreciated
here that the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 56 may be
separately piped from the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 54
such that at least a portion of the centrate from the decanter
centrifuge 56 can be directly recycled back to the nozzle
centrifuge 52 to act as the protein counter current wash and/or the
remainder of the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 56 can be
directly recycled back to the front end as backset. In addition, it
should be appreciated that more than two decanter centrifuges 54,
56 may be provided in sequence here to further dewater the protein
portion, as desired.
[0053] With further reference to FIG. 3, the dewatered protein
portion from the decanter centrifuge 56 can be further optionally
dried, such as by being sent to dryer 57, e.g., a spray dryer, ring
dryer, flash dryer, compression dryer, or a crystallizer, as is
known in the art. In another embodiment, the dewatered protein
portion can be subjected to vacuum filtration or other dewatering
and drying methods, as are known in the art. The final dried
protein portion or product defines a high protein corn meal that
may be sold at a much higher price per ton than DDGS or DWGS.
[0054] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, FIG.
4 schematically illustrates a method and system, collectively
numeral 200, for reducing the unfermentable solids (e.g.,
carbohydrates) content in a protein portion, via a back end counter
current wash, with such protein initially separated with the
stillage (centrate) from the whole stillage byproduct produced in a
typical corn dry-milling process 10, like that described in FIG. 1.
Again, while a typical whole stillage byproduct is utilized here,
it should be understood that the whole stillage from any corn (or
similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process may be
utilized with the same or similar results.
[0055] FIG. 4 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3, with the
exception that the remainder of the centrate from the decanter
centrifuges 54, 56 is sent to and subjected to a nozzle centrifuge
59 to separate the remainder of the centrate into a solids portion,
including protein, and a liquid portion, including water soluble
solids, instead of being directly utilized as backset. In
particular, at the nozzle centrifuge 59, the heavier solids
portion, which includes protein, separates from the lighter liquid
portion and is removed as the underflow whereas the lighter water
soluble solids portion, which includes water soluble solids, can be
removed as the overflow.
[0056] In one embodiment, the nozzle centrifuge 59 may operate at
about 2900 RPM. In another example, the nozzle centrifuge 59 may
operate at about 2600 to 3300 RPM. It should noted that different
equipment and different equipment size have different RPM ranges
and this information is only for exemplary purposes. One such
suitable nozzle centrifuge 59 is the FQC-950 available from
Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio. In an alternate embodiment,
the nozzle centrifuge 59 can be replaced with a standard cyclone
apparatus or other like device, as are known in the art. One such
suitable cyclone apparatus is the RM-12-688 available from
Fluid-Quip, Inc. of Springfield, Ohio. In addition, although a
single nozzle centrifuge 59 is depicted, it should be understood
that a plurality of nozzle centrifuges 59, either in parallel or
series, may be situated in-line and utilized here.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the overflow liquid portion may be
recycled back to the front end as backset, for example, to
liquefaction step 16 or fermentation step 20 for reuse in the dry
milling process. The underflow solids portion can sent from the
nozzle centrifuge 59 back to storage tank 53 whereat it mixes with
the separated protein portion and water. The additional nozzle
centrifuge 59 here can increase the amount of protein separated
from the stillage portion into the protein portion and help provide
a purer protein product and increase overall protein yield. And
although not depicted in FIG. 4, it should be appreciated here that
the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 56 may be separately
piped from the centrate from decanter centrifuge 54 such that the
remainder of the centrate from the decanter centrifuge 56 can be
directly sent to the nozzle centrifuge 59.
[0058] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, FIG.
5 schematically illustrates a method and system, collectively
numeral 300, for reducing the unfermentable solids (e.g.,
carbohydrates) content in a protein portion, via a back end counter
current wash, with such protein initially separated with the
stillage (centrate) from the whole stillage byproduct produced in a
typical corn dry-milling process 10, like that described in FIG. 1.
Again, while a typical whole stillage byproduct is utilized here,
it should be understood that the whole stillage from any corn (or
similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process may be
utilized with the same or similar results.
[0059] FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4, with the
exception that tank 55 and decanter centrifuge 56 have been removed
from the method and system 300. Here, the dewatered protein portion
from the decanter centrifuge 54 may be further optionally directly
dried, such as by being sent to dryer 57, e.g., a spray dryer, ring
dryer, flash dryer, compression dryer, or a crystallizer, as
discussed above. In another embodiment, the dewatered protein
portion can be subjected to vacuum filtration or other dewatering
and drying methods, as are known in the art. The final dried
protein portion or final product defines a high protein corn meal
that may be sold at a much higher price per ton than DDGS or DWGS.
In addition, at least a portion of the centrate from the decanter
centrifuge 54 can be recycled back to the nozzle centrifuge 52 to
act as the protein counter current wash. Here, the water in the
protein counter current wash, which was initially provided at tank
53, has already undergone a first wash. The remainder of the
centrate from the decanter centrifuge 54 may be sent to and
subjected to nozzle centrifuge 59 to separate the remainder of the
centrate into a solids portion, including protein, and a liquid
portion, including water soluble solids, instead of being directly
utilized as backset. At the nozzle centrifuge 59, the heavier
solids portion, which includes protein, separates from the lighter
liquid portion and is removed as the underflow whereas the lighter
water soluble solids portion, which includes water soluble solids,
can be removed as the overflow.
[0060] With continuing reference to FIG. 5, the overflow liquid
portion may be recycled back to the front end as backset, for
example, to liquefaction step 16 or fermentation step 20 for reuse
in the dry milling process. The underflow solids portion can sent
from the nozzle centrifuge 59 back to storage tank 53 whereat it
mixes with the separated protein portion and water. The additional
nozzle centrifuge 59 again can increase the amount of protein
separated from the stillage portion into the protein portion and
help provide a purer protein product and increase overall protein
yield.
[0061] While the present invention has been illustrated by a
description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited
to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and
illustrative example shown and described.
[0062] Accordingly, departures may be made from such details
without departing from the scope of applicant's general inventive
concept.
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