Patent ID: 9516891
Filing Date: 2016-12-13
CPC Classification: A23J,A23K,B01D,B03D,B04B,C02F,C11B,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W

Claim Text:
1. A multi-stage process for separating a source stream, said source stream containing oil water, fibers and protein, said process being configured for separating the source stream into four streams, wherein each stream contains predominantly one component, said process comprising the stages of: providing a first stream comprising whole stillage, said whole stillage containing water, oil, protein and fibers; separating from the first stream a sixth stream having a dry matter component containing predominantly fibers and a fourth stream having a dry component containing predominantly oil and protein; and separating the fourth stream into an eighth stream having a dry matter component containing predominantly oil, a ninth stream containing predominantly water and a tenth stream having a dry component containing predominantly protein, wherein separating the fourth stream is accomplished by a tricanter in which a liquid oil phase drains by gravity, a liquid water phase is discharged at a top of the tricanter under pressure by an impeller and a solid protein phase being moved by a scroll out a discharge opening, and wherein separating the sixth stream from the first stream is accomplished through the steps of: adding dilution water to the first stream to produce a second stream containing dilute whole stillage; adding to the second stream a caustic solution such that a pH of the second stream is raised to between about 4.5 to about 8.2; passing the second stream through an oval plate separator, wherein actions of the oval plate separator resulting in separating the second stream into a third stream and into the fourth stream, wherein a dry matter of the third stream comprises predominantly fibers; and passing the third stream through a press, wherein actions of the press result in separating the third stream into a fifth stream and into the sixth stream, said fifth stream having a dry matter component containing predominantly oil and protein.