Modular Ethanol Production Process

Feedstock Preparation Process.   Feedstock will be processed through the feedstock preprocessor modules to improve the sugar content and break down cellulose or starches to simple sugars prior to fermentation. For efficient distillation, the feedstock should be concentrated to at least 20 brix (20%) prior to fermentation. View Preparation Module Detail

Fermentation Process.  The output from feedstock preparation process will be pumped into fermentation tanks. Yeast will be added to the feedstock to produce fermented beer.  The beer should be 20 proof or 10% alcohol in the solution.  This process takes 3 to 5 days to complete.  The tanks used must be cleaned between fermentation batches. For continuous processing, multiple sets of tanks should be used to rotate for each daily fermented batch. View Fermentation Module Detail

Distillation Process. The distillation process uses steam produced by the boiler to boil the beer from the fermentation tanks and separate the ethanol from the water up to 190 proof (95%). The ethanol produced from distillation will be pumped into storage tanks. Stillage or wastewater from the distillation process will be sent to wastewater cleanup modules. View Distillation Module Detail

Dehydration Process. The dehydration process uses a molecular sieve swing absorption system. A molecular sieve absorbs water vapor but does not allow the ethanol vapors to be absorbed. The molecular sieve material is then dried out for the next iteration of ethanol exposure. This process removes water in the ethanol and the ethanol becomes anhydrous. View Ethanol Dehydration Module Detail

Waste Water Cleanup Process.  The waste water cleanup modules will operate along side the distillation modules to clean up the waste water or stillage from the distillation process as it is produced. Distillation waste water will include a high water content and everything that was in the fermented beer that wasn’t removed as ethanol. The distilled water may be used for feedstock preparation or boiler water for the distillation process heat, or available for other uses requiring high-purity potable water. View Waste Water Cleanup Module Detail