Three-Phase Centrifuge for Fermentation Feedstock Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fermentation processes for producing alcohols like ethanol and butanol face inefficiencies due to the presence of undissolved solids and oil in the feedstock, which interfere with product recovery and increase energy requirements, equipment fouling, and reduce extraction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the separation of feedstock slurry into aqueous, oil, and solid streams using a three-phase centrifuge, allowing for controlled recombination or removal of these components to optimize fermentation conditions, thereby improving biomass processing productivity and product alcohol recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If undissolved solids and oil are added directly to the fermentor, then biomass processing is simplified, but mass transfer coefficient decreases and extraction efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The feedstock is separated into three distinct phases (aqueous stream, oil stream, and undissolved solids stream) using a three-phase centrifuge, allowing each component to be processed independently and optimally, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes undissolved solids and oil from the feedstock before fermentation, separating them into distinct streams that can be managed separately, thus eliminating their harmful interference with mass transfer and extraction processes
2Productivity
If undissolved solids and oil are present in the fermentation broth, then feedstock utilization is maximized, but phase separation is impeded and extraction is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The three-phase centrifuge performs preliminary separation of the feedstock into aqueous, oil, and solid phases before the fermentation process begins, ensuring that the fermentation broth receives only the appropriate components and avoiding subsequent extraction delays
Solution Approach 2:
Undissolved solids and oil are extracted and removed from the feedstock stream before fermentation, preventing them from impeding phase separation and slowing down the extraction process during product recovery
3Productivity
If oil is present in the fermentation process, then feedstock components are fully utilized, but equipment fouling increases and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The three-phase centrifuge extracts and removes oil from the feedstock before fermentation, preventing equipment fouling and reducing energy requirements for drying and processing while still allowing full utilization of the aqueous feedstock components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards or separately processes the oil stream from the fermentation process, preventing it from causing equipment fouling and energy consumption issues, while recovering and utilizing the aqueous feedstock components for alcohol production
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 approach enhances the efficiency of fermentation processes by reducing the amount of undissolved solids and oil in the fermentation broth, leading to improved product recovery, energy savings, and decreased equipment fouling, while also providing additional revenue streams from oil recovery and improved co-product profiles.
Implementation Method 1
separating at least a portion of the feedstock slurry into an aqueous stream, an oil stream, and a stream comprising undissolved solids using a three-phase centrifuge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentative products such as ethanol and butanol. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing productivity.