Peroxy Acid Biocide for Ethanol Fermentation Purity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The ethanol fermentation process is hindered by microbial contamination, leading to reduced production yields, and the use of biocides introduces undesirable compounds into animal feed products, posing a public health concern.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a biocide comprising peroxy acid, specifically peracetic acid, into the fermentable medium, which is essentially free of chelating agents, to control microbial growth without contaminating co-product solids, and using a controlled delivery system to maintain optimal concentration levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional biocides are used to control microbial growth in ethanol fermentation, then microbial contamination is reduced and production yields are improved, but undesirable compounds from biocides are introduced into co-product solids that are processed into animal feed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the biocide by using peroxy acid (specifically peracetic acid) instead of traditional biocides. This parameter change ensures that the biocide effectively controls microbial growth while its decomposition products (acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide) are safe for animal feed, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and harmful substance introduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs peroxy acid, a strong oxidant, as the biocide. This strong oxidizing agent effectively kills contaminating bacteria and microorganisms in the fermentation process, improving ethanol production yield. Meanwhile, the oxidation byproducts are environmentally benign and safe for animal feed, eliminating the harmful effects associated with traditional biocides
2Reliability
If biocides are used to control contaminating bacteria, then microbial growth is suppressed and fermentation efficiency is improved, but chelating agents and other undesirable compounds remain in the fermentable medium and contaminate DDGS
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful chelating agents from the biocide formulation, using pure peroxy acid instead. This extraction of the harmful component allows the biocide to maintain its effectiveness in controlling microbial growth while eliminating the contamination of co-product solids with undesirable compounds, thus resolving the contradiction between process stability and product purity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the harmful chelating agents and recovers only the beneficial peroxy acid component for use as biocide. The decomposition products of peracetic acid (acetic acid and oxygen) are either harmless or beneficial to the fermentation process, and do not contaminate the DDGS, thereby maintaining both fermentation reliability and product purity
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 effectively controls microbial growth, enhances ethanol production yields, and prevents the introduction of undesirable compounds into animal feed products, ensuring safer and more efficient ethanol production.
Implementation Method 1
adding a biocide including a peroxy acid into a fermentable medium
Implementation Method 2
fermenting the fermentable medium with yeast to produce a fermented medium including ethanol
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling microbial growth in an ethanol fermentation system is disclosed wherein the method comprises: (a) adding a biocide including a peroxy acid (e.g., peracetic acid) into a fermentable medium, wherein the biocide is essentially free of chelating agents; and (b) fermenting the fermentable medium with yeast to produce a fermented medium including ethanol. The method may further comprise: (c) distilling the fermented medium to separate at least a portion of the ethanol from solids in the fermented medium; and (d) producing a distillers grain product from the solids. By using a biocide essentially free of chelating agents, the method does not introduce undesirable chelating compounds into the co-product non-fermentable solids of ethanol production that are processed into distillers grain products.