Patent ID: 6355456
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A23K,C12P,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W,Y10S

Abstract:
An integrated continuous process for the production of ethanol and a bio-gas containing methane comprising:(a) fermenting grain in an aqueous medium to produce ethanol in said medium, a wet distillers' grain with solubles as a wet grain residue, and carbon dioxide; (b) feeding the wet grain residue to livestock in a feedlot having slatted floors, said wet grain residue constituting 25-80% of a feed ration of said livestock on a dry weight basis, said feed ration consisting essentially of said 25-80% wet grain residue and grain; (c) collecting manure produced by the livestock from beneath the slatted floor; (d) digesting the collected manure anaerobically with microorganisms to produce the bio-gas containing methane and, as a residue, a bio-fertilizer; (e) combusting said bio-gas to produce heat; and (f) dry milling the grain used in step (a) for fermenting to produce ethanol utilizing the heat produced by said combusting.