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A method comprising applying a controlled flow cavitation apparatus to an alcohol production process in order to increase alcohol yield. A grain-based liquid medium comprising grain and a liquid carrier can be passed through a controlled flow cavitation apparatus at a velocity capable of generating

A method comprising applying a controlled flow cavitation apparatus to an alcohol production process in order to increase alcohol yield. A grain-based liquid medium comprising grain and a liquid carrier can be passed through a controlled flow cavitation apparatus at a velocity capable of generating a hydrodynamic cavitation zone where the grain size can be reduced. One or more controlled flow cavitation apparatuses can be applied at various points of an alcohol production process, such as a starch-to-ethanol production process.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for producing alcohol from grain comprising: applying controlled flow cavitation to a liquid medium comprising a grain, wherein said controlled flow cavitation reduces the particle size of said grain. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the average diameter of said grain in said liquid med

1. A method for producing alcohol from grain comprising: applying controlled flow cavitation to a liquid medium comprising a grain, wherein said controlled flow cavitation reduces the particle size of said grain. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the average diameter of said grain in said liquid medium is reduced by at least 5 percent. 3. The method of claim 1, said controlled flow cavitation is applied to said liquid medium prior to distillation such that the average grain size in said liquid medium is reduced at least 5 percent. 4. The method of claim 1, said liquid medium being transferred through a pump to control the flow of said liquid medium. 5. The method of claim 4, said pump being selected from the group consisting of a centrifugal pump, a positive-displacement pump or a diaphragm pump. 6. The method of claim 4, said pump transferring said liquid medium at a processing pressure. 7. The method of claim 1, said applying controlled flow cavitation induces depolymerization of starch contained in said grain. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said depolymerization of said starch increases the rate of liquefaction in said starch. 9. A method for increasing ethanol yield in a starch-to-ethanol production process comprising: providing a grain-based liquid medium comprising grain and a liquid carrier; adjusting the processing pressure of said grain-based medium by passing said grain-based liquid medium through a pump;applying controlled flow cavitation to said pressurized grain-based medium. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the average diameter of said grain in said grain-based liquid medium is reduced by at least 5 percent.