Method and system for heating process liquid used in a slurry stream in an alcohol production process

A method for heating a process liquid used in a slurry stream in a biofuel and/or biochemical production process comprising:

• separating thin stillage from whole stillage in a biofuel and/or biochemical production process;
• evaporating liquid from a first portion of the separated thin stillage via one or more evaporators to produce a first effect steam;
• heating a process liquid, which includes a mixture of a second portion of the separated thin stillage and a heated liquid portion, with a portion of the first effect steam at an eductor whereat the first effect steam mixes with and further heats the process liquid, and the first effect steam cools and condenses to liquid thereby providing a heated process liquid, including a mixture of the heated liquid portion, the second portion of thin stillage, and condensed first effect steam;
• and
• mixing the heated process liquid with a ground grain to provide a heated slurry stream.

A system for heating a process liquid used in a slurry stream in a biofuel and/or biochemical production process comprising:

• a first apparatus that receives whole stillage and separates thin stillage from the whole stillage;
• one or more evaporators that receive all or a portion of the separated thin stillage from the first apparatus, the one or more evaporators configured to evaporate water from the separated thin stillage and produce steam;
• an eductor that receives a process liquid, which includes a mixture of a second portion of the separated thin stillage and a liquid portion, and a portion of the steam, whereat the steam mixes with and heats the process liquid, and the steam cools and condenses to liquid thereby providing a heated process liquid, including a mixture of the liquid portion, the second portion of thin stillage, and condensed first effect steam;
• and
• a second apparatus that receives the heated process liquid and a ground grain and whereat the heated process liquid is mixed with the ground grain to provide a heated slurry stream.