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US 12,262,722 B2Granted
Fractionated stillage separation and feed products
AssigneeICM, Inc.
InventorsCharles C. Gallop, Christopher Riley William Gerken, Jesse Spooner, Brandon Emme
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure describes methods to separate solids from liquids in a production facility. A process separates components in the process stream by applying non-condensable media to create density differences and then using a mechanical device to separate the solids from the liquids based on the density difference. The process produces the liquids and solids, which may be further processed to create valuable animal feed products.
Claims8
A method for separating components in a process stream, the method comprising:
- receiving a process stream having a mixture of components of one or more liquids and one or more solids;
- adding non-condensable media to the mixture of components to lower a density of the one or more liquids relative to the one or more solids;
- separating the one or more solids from the one or more liquids in the mixture containing the non-condensable media with a mechanical separation device to provide a separated solids stream and a separated liquids stream, wherein a difference in the density of the one or more liquids relative to the one or more solids due to the non-condensable media assist with the separating, and wherein the separated solids stream is at least approximately 38% protein,
- wherein the mechanical separation device is a Sedicanter centrifuge or a decanter centrifuge;
- adding an enzyme to at least a portion of the separated solids stream;
- hydrolyzing the separated solids stream after adding the enzyme;
- and
- producing at least a portion of the separated solids stream as a feed product;
- and
- drying at least a portion of the separated solids stream to provide a dried feed product.
7 more elements
A method comprising:
- receiving a process stream from a production facility, the process stream comprising a mixture of one or more liquids and one or more solids;
- adding non-condensable media to the mixture of components to lower a density of the one or more liquids relative to the one or more solids;
- separating the one or more solids from the one or more liquids in the mixture containing the non-condensable media based on centrifugal forces, into a separated solids stream and a separated liquids stream, wherein a difference in the density of the one or more liquids relative to the one or more solids due to the non-condensable media assist with the separating, and wherein the separated solids stream comprises at least approximately 38% protein,
- wherein the centrifugal forces are applied with a mechanical separation device that is a Sedicanter centrifuge or a decanter centrifuge;
- treating at least a portion of the separated solids stream with at least one of a beta-glucanase enzyme, a protease enzyme, a cellulase enzyme, or a hemicellulase enzyme to provide a hydrolysate;
- drying the separated solids stream after treating the separated solids stream to provide a dried feed product;
- and
- producing at least a portion of the separated solids stream as the dried feed product.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.