November 3, 2023

Over the last five years, a new technology has been developed by Harvesting Technologies, a Wisconsin firm. This technology has the potential to significantly improve the cost efficiency of corn ethanol production. The first commercial plant conversion is now on-line in a facility which produces 65 million gallons of ethanol per year.

The patented process has the advantage of producing by-product corn protein. The conventional process results in by-product DDG (Dried Distillers Grain), which have significantly less commercial value.

In addition to producing corn protein, the new process also results in the recovery of some corn oil as another by-product.

An important cost advantage of the new process is that screw presses can be used to dewater the corn protein. In contrast, the traditional process requires the use of decanters for the DDG dewatering step. The switch to screw presses results in a major savings in electrical energy consumption and decanter maintenance. In the operating plant, the screw press savings over decanters amounts to $200,000 for electricity plus $100,000 in maintenance per year.

The Vincent Fiber Filter plays an important step in the production system. The thin stillage is first filtered in a bank of DSM pressure screens. The filtrate from these is fed to Fiber Filter FF-30’s for additional protein recovery. The filtrate from the Fiber Filter goes to a tricanter for corn oil recovery.

The sleeves of the Fiber Filter are rated for 85 microns. This plays an important part in improving operation of the DAF units ahead of the tricanter.

For additional information on the Harvesting Technology process, contact Jonathan Scarfpin, 507-236-0706, Jscarfpin@HarvestingTech.com.

ISSUE #351