Ethanol Fermentation via Raw Starch Selection and Enzymatic Saccharification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for converting plant material to ethanol are inefficient and require improvements in selecting and processing plant material to enhance ethanol production and fermentation outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the selection of plant material that has not been exposed to high temperatures or high moisture, followed by fractionation, grinding, saccharification without cooking, and fermentation to produce high levels of ethanol, utilizing enzymes like glucoamylase and acid fungal amylase, and varying temperature and pH conditions during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to convert plant material to ethanol, then the process is simpler, but ethanol production efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by carefully selecting plant material before processing - specifically excluding materials that have been exposed to high temperatures or high moisture content. This pre-selection step ensures optimal substrate quality for subsequent enzymatic saccharification and fermentation, thereby improving ethanol production efficiency without adding complex processing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by controlling temperature and moisture content parameters throughout the process. By maintaining specific temperature ranges during storage and processing, and controlling moisture content below 40%, the patent optimizes enzymatic activity and fermentation efficiency, achieving higher ethanol yields without requiring complex additional equipment
2Productivity
If plant material is exposed to high temperatures or high moisture content, then storage and handling is easier, but ethanol production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific temperature and moisture content thresholds for plant material. By controlling moisture content to remain below 40% and excluding materials exposed to high temperatures, the patent optimizes the substrate for enzymatic saccharification and fermentation, thereby improving ethanol production efficiency while maintaining practical storage and handling conditions
3Productivity
If cooking is used in saccharification, then starch conversion is more efficient, but byproducts and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal/mechanical cooking process with an enzymatic system. By using enzymes such as glucoamylase and acid fungal amylase for saccharification at controlled temperatures without cooking, the patent achieves efficient starch conversion to fermentable sugars while avoiding the formation of harmful byproducts and emissions associated with high-temperature cooking processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by shifting from high-temperature cooking to lower-temperature enzymatic hydrolysis. By controlling the temperature parameter to remain below cooking thresholds and using enzymatic catalysts, the patent maintains high starch conversion efficiency while eliminating the harmful effects of thermal processing
4Productivity
If temperature is increased during fermentation, then fermentation speed increases, but ethanol yield and quality decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the temperature parameter during fermentation. By maintaining controlled, moderate temperatures rather than high temperatures, the patent achieves optimal balance between fermentation speed and ethanol yield/quality. This temperature optimization prevents excessive heat generation that would reduce ethanol concentration and increase unwanted byproducts like fusel oils and glycerol
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method achieves high ethanol yields of at least 18 vol-%, improves the quality of distiller's dried grain, and reduces byproducts and emissions, while maintaining low levels of glycerol and fusel oils, demonstrating enhanced efficiency and productivity in ethanol production.
Implementation Method 1
saccharifying the starch without cooking to produce a saccharified starch composition
Implementation Method 2
saccharifying the starch without cooking to produce a saccharified starch composition
Implementation Method 3
fermenting the saccharified starch composition to produce an ethanol composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include selecting plant material. Selecting can include excluding plant material that has been exposed to high temperatures or that has had high moisture content.