Title: Unit 9 Readings and Lecture
Course: BFM 201 Ethanol Production > Section: BFM 201 Ethanol Production

Unit 9 Readings and Lecture

To Do:
Read Textbook: Ethanol Process Fundamentals – Chapter 6 pages 6.1 – 6.11
The fermented mash which is now called beer is approximately 13% ethanol along with non-fermented solids from the corn and yeast cells. During distillation, the ethanol is separated from the solids and water. Distillation refers to separation of ethanol from a binary alcohol-water mixture due to their different boiling points.

The distillation process consists of three columns operated under a vacuum and where heat is added to boil off the ethanol.  The vapors come into contact with a series of trays in the columns that separate the rising vapors from the descending liquid/stillage. The ethanol that leaves the final column is 95% (190 proof) ethanol. The liquid/stillage that settled out at the lower portion of the column is transferred from the base to the co-products processing area. Critical process measurements during the distillation phase are pressure, temperature, and flow.
References:

Chapter 6 (2006). In Ethanol process fundamentals: An introduction to ethanol processing. Granite Falls, MN: Minnesota Energy Enterprise Center.

Walker, G. M. (n.d.). Bioethanol: Science and technology of fuel alcohol. Bioethanol: Science and Technology of Fuel Alcohol. Retrieved from http://bookboon.com/en/bioethanol-science-and-technology-of-fuel-alcohol-ebook