Patent ID: 7524418
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: C05F,C12M,C12P,Y02A,Y02E,Y02P,Y02W

Abstract:
1. An integrated continuous process for the production of ethanol and self generating energy on a commercial scale after an initial process start-up, said integrated continuous process comprising the steps of: a) fermenting a corn mash in an aqueous medium to produce a beer; b) distilling said beer to produce commercial scale quantities of ethanol and a whole stillage; c) digesting a mixture containing said whole stillage anaerobically to produce commercial scale quantities of biogas and a residue; d) combusting said biogas to produce electricity and steam; e) utilizing steam produced by said combustion during the steps of fermenting and distilling to produce said ethanol; and f) utilizing electricity produced by said combustion during the step of fermenting the corn mash; said commercial scale biogas being defined to include up to 11.6 million BTUs of methane per dry ton of said whole stillage anaerobically digested with the steam and electricity produced by step (d) being sufficient to provide, after said initial start up of said integrated continuous process, about 75% of the electricity of step (f) and all the steam of step (e) used to produce said ethanol and said whole stillage step (b).