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Evaluate corn pretreatment benefits for ethanol production, comparing whole grain vs. de-germed corn as feedstock. Project explores fractionation issues, benefits to ethanol & biodiesel industries, and improved DDGS quality.
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Analytical Tools For Corn Fractionation Roger Ginder Darren Jarboe Iowa State University
Project Overview • Evaluate the economic benefits of corn pretreatment for the dry grind ethanol process using an ethanol processing plant simulation model • Compare simulated returns from using whole grain as a feedstock to returns from using de-germed corn as the feedstock • One project among a group of related projects that will evaluate other fractionation issues
Value of the Project - Near Term • Potential benefits to ethanol industry • Potential benefits to biodiesel industry • Better utilization of value in the corn
How the Project Fits with Dry Mill Ethanol • Has potential to improve the quality of DDGS • Reduced fiber content for some DDGS uses • Increased protein content • Makes corn more competitive with alternative ethanol feedstocks
How the Project Fits with Dry Mill Ethanol • Reduces quantity of a co-product (DDGS) that is becoming plentiful and may be in excess supply going forward • Has potential to increase efficiency of ethanol plants • Increased ethanol per gallon of plant capacity • Better utilization of the primary Iowa feedstock (corn)
Other Related Projects • Specialty Corn with Trait in Germ Portion Approved for Food Uses • Specialty Corn with Trait in Germ Portion NOT Approved for Food Uses • Recapture of Corn Oil After Fermentation For Feed and Industrial Uses
Corn Germ Market Ethanol Market Pretreatment Facility DDGS Market Specialty Protein Market Recap. Corn Oil Market Supply Price Agricultural Market Conditions Price Supply Dry Grind Processor Corn Producer Corn Protein Technology Owner Specialty Protein Processor Supply Supply Price Price Supply Supply Price Supply Price Price Supply Price Flowchart for a Specialty Protein Processing System
Deliverables For IGQI Portion • Provide a working paper that describes and evaluates the ethanol value chain and the first stage of the value chain for corn products located in the germ. • Develop analytical data and tools to assist producers in evaluating the financial viability of using de-germing prior to dry milling as part of the corn processing value chain.
Progress On IGQI Portion of the Project • Developed Basic Ethanol Model • Currently Building the De-germing Model • Have Obtained Data Necessary to Evaluate Quick Germ Process • Good Progress on Quick Germ Model Development • Attempting to Obtain Cost Data on Mechanical De-germing (Commercial Scale) • Not Currently Operational On Plant Scale
Issues Encountered • Operating Cost Data From Firms Experimenting With De-germing Difficult to Obtain • Most Efforts Are Experimental • Few Firms Are Involved • Data Considered Proprietary • Confidentiality Agreements Have Frequently Been Signed By Plants
Issues Encountered • Favorable Ethanol Prices Have Skewed Industry Interest Toward Investment in Plant Capacity Rather Than Refining Processes • Plant Expansions • Additional Plants • Marketing and Transportation Infrastructure
Corn Germ Market Ethanol Market Pretreatment Facility DDGS Market Specialty Protein Market Recap. Corn Oil Market Supply Price Agricultural Market Conditions Price Supply Dry Grind Processor Corn Producer Corn Protein Technology Owner Specialty Protein Processor Supply Supply Price Price Supply Supply Price Supply Price Price Supply Price Flowchart for a Specialty Protein Processing System