Ethanol fermentation methods and systems

摘要

Methods and systems for purifying feedstock-to-ethanol fermentation products are disclosed. The methods include the use of a solvent in the form of a supercritical fluid or liquid gas such as supercritical CO2 or liquid CO2 to dry fermentation beer solids, and/or to extract oil, ethanol, or ethanol and oil from fermentation beer or mixtures derived therefrom. Systems include a separations reactor having a first portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids joined to a second portion defined by walls that are impermeable to fermentation beer liquids by a third portion defined by walls that are permeable to fermentation beer liquids and impermeable to fermentation beer solids.

主权项

1. A method of purifying feedstock-to ethanol fermentation products, comprising:
a. exposing a first mixture comprising a liquids component and a solids component and chosen from fermentation beer and mixtures derived therefrom to a displacent adapted to displace the liquids component of the first mixture from the solids component of the first mixture thereby generating a solids product stream and liquids product stream; b. removing displacent from the solids product stream; and, c. removing ethanol from the liquid products stream.