Method for improving water balance and/or efficiency in ethanol production

Abstract

A method and system for balancing water content in a liquid mixture is described. The method includes using an direct column contact evaporator to reduce the water content in the liquid mixture. The liquid mixture is provided in the open column direct contact evaporator with relatively dry air. The dry air evaporates excess water from the liquid mixture to concentrate the liquid mixture while at the same time reducing the energy required for water evaporation elsewhere in the plant.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.