Method of freeing the bound oil present in whole stillage and thin stillage

Abstract

A method is provided for recovering oil from stillage including oil resulting from a process used for producing ethanol. In one embodiment, the method includes heating the stillage to a temperature sufficient to at least partially separate, or unbind, the oil therefrom. The method further includes recovering the oil from the stillage.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       1 . A system for recovering oil from pressurized stillage resulting from a process used for producing ethanol, comprising: a first heater for receiving and superheating the pressurized stillage; and a separator downstream of the first heater for recovering oil from the stillage. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second heater for preheating the pressurized stillage before delivery to the first heater. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first heater comprises at least two heat exchangers. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the separator comprises a gravity separator. 
   
   
       5 . A system for of recovering oil from pressurized whole stillage resulting from a process used for producing ethanol, comprising: a first heater for receiving and superheating the pressurized whole stillage; a decanter for obtaining thin stillage from the whole stillage; an evaporator for concentrating the thin stillage; and a separator downstream of the first heater for recovering oil from the thin stillage. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , further including a second heater upstream of the evaporator for receiving and superheating the pressurized thin stillage.