Analysis of Alternative Solid/Liquid Separation Techniques in Non-Beverage Fermentation Ethanol Production

摘要

The biochemical and process design implications of separation alternatives were analyzed. Standard batches of corn mash were prepared and the solids and liquids were separated according to three alternative sequences: (1) prior to fermentation; (2) after fermentation; and (3) after distillation. Separation methods, such as screening, filtration, and centrifugation were also examined. Biochemical tests on the supernatants and precipitates identified the effects on total precipitate, carbohydrate, protein, reducing sugars, digestible nutrients, fiber, fat, ash, nitrogen free extract, Kjeldehl nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, pH, BOD, specific gravity, viscosity, yeast cell number, starch, dissolved oxygen, percent alcohol, percent moisture and ethanol yield. The biochemical tests demonstrate that, depending on the effectiveness of additional product recovery steps, significant variances in ethanol yields may occur as a result of separation sequence and methodology. Highest ethanol yields without additional product recovery steps were obtained using the after distillation separation sequence. (ERA citation 08:004628)