Increased Oil Recovery from Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles and Whole Stillage
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Abstract
Finding a viable method to recover oil from the corn ethanol industry's co-products has considerable economic prospects for ethanol bio-refineries. This study examined the effects of enzymes and ethanol on oil recovery from dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS) and oil distribution in the whole stillage (WS). Protease and cellulase enzymes were tested either individually or in combination with the heavier fractions of DDGS and resulted in 18-20% more oil than the original DDGS. More than 90% of the oil was recovered from the heavier fraction of DDGS using ethanol at 30ºC with 30% solid loadings. Ethanol addition also improved oil partition in WS's liquid fraction by 17–20%. Overall, enzymes and ethanol treatments showed a positive effect on oil recovery from DDGS and WS. Ethanol bio-refineries may use these findings to recover oil as no significant changes are required in the ethanol plant's design.