SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING BIOMASS AND CALCULATING ETHANOL YIELD

摘要

The present invention provides processes, inter alia, for the treatment of a starch-based feedstock. The processes include mixing together a starch-based feedstock and a working fluid to form a slurry, hydrating the starch-based feedstock with the working fluid, adding an enzyme to the slurry, pumping the slurry into a substantially constant diameter passage of a fluid mover, and injecting a high velocity transport fluid into the slurry through one or more nozzles communicating with the passage, thereby further hydrating and heating the starch-based feedstock and dispersing the starch content of the slurry. Apparatuses for carrying out such processes are also provided. Processes for converting starch in feedstocks into oligosaccharides and systems for producing sugars and ethanol using the processes and apparatuses of the invention are also provided. Processes for calculating ethanol yield using the apparatuses are also provided.