US 12,480,142 B2
Processes for separating whole stillage
Jason Bootsma, Wichita, KS (US)
Assigned to POET Grain (Octane), LLC, Sioux Falls, SD (US)
Filed by POET Grain (Octane), LLC, Sioux Falls, SD (US)
Filed on Jun. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/210,805.
Application 16/102,835 is a division of application No. 15/604,507, filed on May 24, 2017, granted, now 10,059,966, issued on Aug. 28, 2018.
Application 18/210,805 is a continuation of application No. 16/734,422, filed on Jan. 6, 2020, granted, now 11,718,863.
Application 16/734,422 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/102,835, filed on Aug. 14, 2018, granted, now 11,254,955, issued on Feb. 22, 2022.
Application 15/604,507 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/529,025, granted, now 11,248,197, issued on Feb. 15, 2022, previously published as PCT/US2016/063666, filed on Nov. 23, 2016.
Application 15/604,507 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/529,014, granted, now 10,837,029, issued on Nov. 17, 2020, previously published as PCT/US2016/063657, filed on Nov. 23, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/324,159, filed on Apr. 18, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/260,181, filed on Nov. 25, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0332189 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. C12P 7/10 (2006.01); B01D 17/02 (2006.01); B01D 33/00 (2006.01); C11B 1/10 (2006.01); C12M 1/00 (2006.01); C12N 9/42 (2006.01); C12P 7/14 (2006.01); C12P 7/6409 (2022.01); C12P 19/02 (2006.01); C12P 19/14 (2006.01)
CPC C12P 7/10 (2013.01) [B01D 17/0217 (2013.01); B01D 33/00 (2013.01); C11B 1/10 (2013.01); C12M 47/10 (2013.01); C12P 7/14 (2013.01); C12P 7/6409 (2013.01); C12P 19/02 (2013.01); C12P 19/14 (2013.01); C12M 45/04 (2013.01); C12M 47/06 (2013.01); C12N 9/2437 (2013.01); C12P 2201/00 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
 
1. A process for recovering an oil product, a protein meal product, and a corn fiber product from corn pieces comprising:
introducing the corn pieces into an ethanol production process to produce a whole stillage;
introducing the whole stillage into a filtration device comprising a flexible screen and a mechanical agitation mechanism to produce a filtrate and a fibrous solid stream;
introducing the filtrate into a three-phase centrifuge to produce the oil product, a high protein solids stream, and a solubles stream;
dewatering the fibrous solid stream to produce a wet fibrous stream;
drying the high protein solids stream to produce the protein meal product;
evaporating the solubles stream to produce a condensed solubles stream;
mixing the wet fibrous stream and the condensed solubles stream to produce a mixture;
drying the mixture to produce the corn fiber with solubles product; and
recycling at least a portion of the filtrate to the whole stillage.