Cleaning and drying of syrup feedstocks from ethanol distillation processes
AssigneeLucasE3, L.C.
InventorScott A. Lucas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for cleaning and drying a syrup feedstock from an ethanol distillation process. The syrup feedstock is washed with water to remove at least a portion of glycerol from the syrup feedstock to form a clean syrup comprising solids, such as proteins and fibers. The solids are then dried and separated from the clean syrup using one or more dryers and/or separators to form a high-protein dried product comprising at least 35% protein.
Claims20
A process for cleaning and drying a syrup feedstock comprising protein, fiber, and glycerol, the process comprising:
- flowing the syrup feedstock through a membrane system in a first direction;
- flowing water through the membrane system in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the syrup feedstock contacts the water to remove at least a portion of the glycerol from the syrup feedstock to form a clean syrup and dilute glycerol;
- mixing the clean syrup with air to dry the clean syrup;
- separating a dried product from the air using one or more separators,
- wherein the dried product comprises at least 40% protein and at least 10% fibers;
- and
- condensing the dilute glycerol via an evaporator using heat from the air to form a glycerol product,
- wherein the glycerol product comprises at least 10% glycerol.
A process for cleaning and drying a syrup feedstock comprising protein, fiber, and glycerol, the process comprising:
- feeding the syrup feedstock and water to a washing chamber such that the syrup feedstock contacts the water to remove at least a portion of the glycerol from the syrup feedstock to form a clean syrup and dilute glycerol;
- and
- removing water from the clean syrup via one or more separators or dryers to form a dried product,
- wherein the dried product comprises at least 50% protein.
A process for cleaning and drying a syrup feedstock comprising protein, fiber, and glycerol, the process comprising:
- flowing the syrup feedstock through a washing chamber in a first direction;
- flowing water through the washing chamber in a second direction such that the syrup feedstock contacts the water to remove at least a portion of the glycerol from the syrup feedstock to form a clean syrup and dilute glycerol;
- feeding the clean syrup to a spray dryer such that the clean syrup mixes with air having a temperature of at least 300°F to dry the clean syrup;
- separating a dried product from the air using at least one of a cyclone filter system or a baghouse filter system,
- wherein the dried product comprises at least 35% protein and at least 5% fibers;
- and
- condensing the dilute glycerol via heat from the air to form a glycerol product,
- wherein the glycerol product comprises at least 10% glycerol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.