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Our Continuous flow ethanol
distillation system is more efficient than the system that Robert Stein patented
in the nineteenth century. The following is a link to our patent and a
description of how our system is more efficient:

Robert Stein invented the following continuous flow
distillation system in the nineteenth century:

The biggest benefit of the still that Mr. Stein invented was
it allowed alcohol to be distilled continuously. However, it did not
increase the efficiency of distillation, because as seen in the diagram labeled
number 2 steam is added to distill the wash. As the waste leaves the still
in the diagram labeled 3 that heated water is not reused. Water has a high
heat capacity, this means in the Stein system much energy is wasted heating
water that is not associated with the wash as labeled in number 1.
The wash is the liquid that should be distilled with the least about of energy
possible. This system is proven and it has made many a lot of money, thus
the question is why try a new system? In 100 years the answer will be much
clearer, since our nonrenewable resources will be much more depleted than they
are now. In order to decrease our use of nonrenewable fuels, one piece of
the pie concerns greater efficiency of energy use and production.
Our Patented Ethanol Distillation System uses a
continuous flow method that puts the heating element in direct contact with the
fermentation liquid, which allows the liquid to heat faster and more efficient
because the liquid is being stirred and heated at the same time. This ethanol distillation system is designed to allow
yeast to ferment alcohol to higher concentrations before being distilled. This
will decrease the amount of energy needed to produce the alcohol.
Keeping the yeast alive and working for longer
periods of time promotes efficiency and greater alcohol production. This is
important, since the longer yeast live they will naturally select to live in
higher alcohol concentration. Samuel Adams has produced ninja yeast that can
survive in alcohol concentration of 25%. This is important to the alcohol
producer, because alcohol can be distilled with less energy when the
concentrations are higher. The objective of this system is to use less energy
to produce a gallon of ethanol and this increases the energy yield of the
product.
A
system that is 100% efficient produces no waste. The goal of the system is
reach 100% efficiency. In the current models being used Enzymes are added
to corn to decrease the waste product and increase yield. Their yield
based on this process is 12.23 pounds of corn / 26.1 pounds being used which
equals an efficiency of 46.7%. This is higher than the 17% quoted in the
patent, however if the 46.75% were noted it would distract from the energy being
consumed in the current distillation process. This waste needs to be
addressed, since the government will only subsidize this process for a limited
amount of time.
We know that it takes 26.1 pounds
or 11,849.4g of corn to make 1 gallon of ethanol. Note that enzymes are
added to break down the corn into sugar in the fermentation process. If
these enzymes were not added the amount of corn would exceed 26.1 pounds and the
time for fermentation would be longer as well.
342g
C 12H22O11
C12H22O11
+H2O + invertase →2 C6H12O6
C6H12O6
+ Zymase → 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
184g
C2H5OH
Based on the chemical reaction
5551.92g or 12.23 pounds of corn sugar is needed to make one gallon of ethanol.
Gallon of ethanol weights 2987g
For every gallon of ethanol the
farmer is producing 13.87 pounds of solid waste.
The objective of our system is not to add the
13.87 pounds of waste. Our system is designed to be like an aquarium.
Keep the best yeast alive, and distill with the most efficient submersible
electric heater similar to the Eden PURE bulbs in the Oreck home heater.
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