Processes and systems for the production of fermentation products

Abstract

The present invention relates to processes and systems for the production of fermentation products such as alcohols. The present invention also provides methods for separating feed stream components for improved biomass processing and productivity.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method comprising
 providing a feedstock slurry comprising fermentable carbon source, undissolved solids, and oil; separating the feedstock slurry whereby (i) a first aqueous solution comprising a fermentable carbon source, (ii) a first wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) a stream comprising oil, solids, and an aqueous stream comprising a fermentable carbon source are formed; and   adding the first aqueous solution to a fermentation broth comprising microorganisms whereby a fermentation product is produced.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising
 separating the stream comprising oil, solids, and aqueous stream comprising a fermentable carbon source whereby (i) a second aqueous solution comprising a fermentable carbon source, (ii) a second wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) an oil stream are formed.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first and second aqueous solutions are combined prior to the addition to the fermentation broth. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the second aqueous solution further comprises oil. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the oil of the second aqueous solution or portion thereof is treated to generate an extractant. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the oil is treated chemically or enzymatically. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein separation is by decanter bowl centrifugation, three-phase centrifugation, disk stack centrifugation, filtering centrifugation, decanter centrifugation, filtration, vacuum filtration, beltfilter, pressure filtration, filtration using a screen, screen separation, grating, porous grating, flotation, hydrocyclone, filter press, screwpress, gravity settler, vortex separator, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A method comprising
 providing a feedstock slurry comprising a fermentable carbon source, undissolved solids, and oil;   separating the feedstock slurry whereby (i) a first aqueous solution comprising a fermentable carbon source and solids, (ii) a first wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) a first oil stream are formed; and   adding oil to the first aqueous solution whereby an oil layer comprising solids and a second aqueous solution comprising a fermentable carbon source are formed.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the oil layer comprising solids is separated forming (i) a second oil stream, (ii) a second wet cake comprising solids, and (iii) a third aqueous solution comprising a fermentable carbon source. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the second aqueous solution and the third aqueous solution are added to a fermentation broth comprising microorganisms whereby a fermentation product is produced. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second aqueous solution and the third aqueous solution further comprise oil. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the second aqueous solution and the third aqueous solution are combined and the oil of the second aqueous solution and the third aqueous solution or portions thereof is treated to generate an extractant. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the oil is treated chemically or enzymatically. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein separation is by decanter bowl centrifugation, three-phase centrifugation, disk stack centrifugation, filtering centrifugation, decanter centrifugation, filtration, vacuum filtration, beltfilter, pressure filtration, filtration using a screen, screen separation, grating, porous grating, flotation, hydrocyclone, filter press, screwpress, gravity settler, vortex separator, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         42 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein separation is by decanter bowl centrifugation, three-phase centrifugation, disk stack centrifugation, filtering centrifugation, decanter centrifugation, filtration, vacuum filtration, beltfilter, pressure filtration, filtration using a screen, screen separation, grating, porous grating, flotation, hydrocyclone, filter press, screwpress, gravity settler, vortex separator, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein separation is by decanter bowl centrifugation, three-phase centrifugation, disk stack centrifugation, filtering centrifugation, decanter centrifugation, filtration, vacuum filtration, beltfilter, pressure filtration, filtration using a screen, screen separation, grating, porous grating, flotation, hydrocyclone, filter press, screwpress, gravity settler, vortex separator, or combination thereof 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein one or more control parameters of the separation device is adjusted to improve separation of the feedstock slurry. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein the one or more control parameters are selected from differential speed, bowl speed, flow rate, impeller position, weir position, scroll pitch, residence time, and discharge volume. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein real-time measurements are used to monitor separation of the feedstock slurry. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein separation is monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography, viscometers, densitometers, tensiometers, droplet size analyzers, particle analyzers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein one or more control parameters of the separation device is adjusted to improve separation of the feedstock slurry. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the one or more control parameters are selected from differential speed, bowl speed, flow rate, impeller position, weir position, scroll pitch, residence time, and discharge volume. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein real-time measurements are used to monitor separation of the feedstock slurry. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein separation is monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography, viscometers, densitometers, tensiometers, droplet size analyzers, particle analyzers, or combinations thereof.