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U.S. Department of Energy
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Automated small-scale fuel alcohol plant: A means to add value to food processing waste

Conference ·
OSTI ID:140220
;  [1];
  1. Idaho National Engineering Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
A small scale fuel grade alcohol plant was designed, constructed and operated a decade ago. This plant design incorporated several innovative processes and features that are still on the cutting edge for small scale alcohol production. The plant design could be scaled down or up to match the needs of food processing waste streams that contain sugars or starches as BOD. The novel features include automation requiring four hours of labor per 24 hour day and a plug flow low temperature cooking system which solubilizes and liquifies the starch in one step. This plant consistently produced high yield of alcohol. Yields of 2.6 gallons of absolute alcohol were produced from a bushel of corn. Potato waste grain dust and cheese whey were also processed in this plant as well as barley. Production energy for a 190 proof gallon was approximately 32,000 BTU. This paper discusses the design, results, and applicability of this plant to food processing industries.
Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
OSTI ID:
140220
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP--200-5768-Vol.2; CONF-9308106--Vol.2; ON: DE94000435
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English