Novel Fractionation Process and Co-Products Related to Ethanol Production

Download the PDF version (58KB)

Objective(s)

The aim of this Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) project is to improve the returns of ethanol production from cereal grains by adapting an approach to recover higher value co-products economically and environmentally.

There are three overall objectives of this research:

1. Select, modify, design, and develop process alternatives to recover valuable co-products from cereals before or after fermentation to increase the competitiveness of ethanol production.
    
2. Explore new uses and applications for the components or fractions generated.
    
3. Provide general technical and commercialization support to existing and emerging ethanol producers interested in adopting more economically viable, environmental-friendly processes for ethanol production.

Description

Ethanol's success as an alternative transportation fuel to the conventional petroleum-based fossil fuel has become the focus of various research initiatives attempting to reduce the effects of GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions on climate change. Ethanol and a variety of additional co-products are derived from several agricultural products containing sugar or materials that can be converted into sugar through the process of fermentation. The yield and functionality of co-products is dependent upon processing conditions employed. This project consists of developing processes to recover valuable co-products, determining potential applications for these products, and further enticing ethanol producers to adopt more economical and integrated processes for ethanol production. This project will involve conducting a literature review in order to assess various relevant processes and technologies employed for ethanol production in terms of their merits and deficiencies. Laboratory and pilot plant work will be carried out to develop and validate an integrated process to produce higher value products from cereals including wheat and rye. The starch-enriched fraction obtained will be converted into fermentable sugars and ultimately to ethanol by fermentation. Extraction, fractionation, and assembly unit operations at pilot scale level will be the primary focus of this research. A project initiative includes optimizing the modification of some components into higher-value functional co-products. The effect on yield and physico-chemical functional properties of process parameters will be investigated. This project will also explore advanced technology for further fractionation.

Significant Outcomes

Research gained from this project is anticipated to improve the economics and competitiveness of bioethanol production, increase GHG reduction, and reduce government support to the grain/ethanol industry. Preliminary results indicate that a significant amount of co-products can be recovered. Co-products enhance economic returns from integrated processing activities and resulting organic wastes produced. Co-products can further be used for application in functional foods, nutraceuticals, natural products, and feed industries. Improving process elements and production technology for ethanol and co-products will allow ethanol to become more economically favourable for ethanol producers and consumers.