Processes and systems for the production of alcohols
AssigneeButamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
InventorsBenjamin Fuchs, BRIAN MICHAEL ROESCH, MATHIAS E. STOLARSKI, JAMES GREGORY WOOD
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Abstract
The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentative products such as ethanol and butanol. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing productivity.
Claims37
A method for producing product alcohol comprising:
- providing a feedstock slurry comprising fermentable carbon source, undissolved solids, and oil;
- separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry forming (i) an aqueous solution comprising fermentable carbon source, (ii) a wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) an oil stream;
- wherein the step of separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry includes using a three-phase centrifuge to separate the feedstock slurry;
- and
- adding the aqueous solution to a fermentation broth comprising microorganisms in a fermentor whereby a product alcohol is produced.
A method to improve oil recovery from a feedstock slurry comprising:
- providing a feedstock slurry comprising fermentable carbon source, undissolved solids, and oil;
- separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry forming (i) an aqueous solution comprising fermentable carbon source, (ii) a wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) an oil stream;
- and
- returning at least a portion of the oil stream to the feedstock slurry;
- wherein an increased concentration of oil in the feedstock slurry improves the recovery of oil from the feedstock slurry.
A method for modifying the moisture content of undissolved solids comprising:
- providing a feedstock slurry comprising fermentable carbon source, undissolved solids, and oil;
- separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry forming (i) an aqueous solution comprising fermentable carbon source, (ii) a wet cake comprising undissolved solids, and (iii) an oil stream;
- wherein the step of separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry includes using a three-phase centrifuge to separate the feedstock slurry;
- and
- adjusting the residence time of the three-phase centrifuge;
- wherein the moisture content of the wet cake is modified by adjusting the residence time of the three-phase centrifuge.
A method of improving the separation of liquid phases comprising:
- providing a feedstock slurry comprising fermentable carbon source, undissolved solids, and oil;
- separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry forming (i) a first liquid phase comprising an aqueous solution, (ii) a second liquid phase comprising oil, and (iii) a wet cake comprising undissolved solids;
- wherein the step of separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry includes using a three-phase centrifuge to separate the feedstock slurry and the three-phase centrifuge comprises a weir;
- and
- adjusting the weir of the three-phase centrifuge;
- wherein the levels of the two liquid phases are modified by adjusting the weir thereby providing improved separation of the two liquid phases.
A system for producing product alcohol comprising
- one or more liquefaction vessels configured to liquefy a feedstock to create a feedstock slurry;
- one or more three-phase centrifuges configured to separate feedstock slurry forming (i) an aqueous solution comprising fermentable carbon source, (ii) a wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) an oil stream;
- and
- one or more fermentors configured to ferment the aqueous solution to produce product alcohol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.