Continuous fermentation and distillation apparatus

Apparatus for continuously fermenting a moist particulate feed and distilling the fermentation product comprising, a hopper for supplying a moist particulate feed containing a component convertible to fermentable sugar, a fermentation tank, pressure-locked auger means for forcing said feed from said hopper into said tank, means to progressively remove liquor from within said tank, means for separating solids from said removed liquor to produce a beer, a distillation column operatively connected to said means for separating solids for distilling said beer, a combustion engine for powering said auger and said means for separating solids, said engine having an exhaust surrounding an inlet section of said auger to help heat said feed and thereby produce fermentable sugar within said auger, and said auger including a section passing from said exhaust to said tank in heat exchange relation to said distillation column to provide heat for distillation.