Analytical Tools For Corn
Fractionation
Roger Ginder
Darren Jarboe
Iowa State University
Project Overview
Evaluate the economic benefits of corn
pretreatment for the dry grind ethanol process
using an ethanol processing plant simulation
model
Compare simulated returns from using whole
grain as a feedstock to returns from using degermed corn as the feedstock
One project among a group of related projects
that will evaluate other fractionation issues
Value of the Project - Near Term
Potential benefits to ethanol industry
Potential benefits to biodiesel industry
Better utilization of value in the corn
How the Project Fits with
Dry Mill Ethanol
Has potential to improve the quality of DDGS
– Reduced fiber content for some DDGS uses
– Increased protein content
Makes corn more competitive with alternative
ethanol feedstocks
How the Project Fits with
Dry Mill Ethanol
Reduces quantity of a co-product (DDGS) that is
becoming plentiful and may be in excess supply
going forward
Has potential to increase efficiency of ethanol
plants
– Increased ethanol per gallon of plant capacity
– Better utilization of the primary Iowa feedstock
(corn)
Other Related Projects
Specialty Corn with Trait in Germ Portion
Approved for Food Uses
Specialty Corn with Trait in Germ Portion NOT
Approved for Food Uses
Recapture of Corn Oil After Fermentation For
Feed and Industrial Uses
Flowchart for a Specialty
Protein Processing System
Corn Germ
Market
Corn Protein
Technology Owner
Specialty
Protein Processor
Agricultural
Market Conditions
Corn
Producer
Supply
Price
Price
Specialty
Protein Market
Price
Supply
Ethanol
Market
Pretreatment
Facility
Supply
Price
Supply
Price
Supply
Supply
Dry Grind
Processor
Supply
Price
Recap. Corn Oil
Market
Price
Supply
Price
DDGS
Market
Deliverables For IGQI Portion
Provide a working paper that describes and
evaluates the ethanol value chain and the first
stage of the value chain for corn products
located in the germ.
Develop analytical data and tools to assist
producers in evaluating the financial viability of
using de-germing prior to dry milling as part of
the corn processing value chain.
Progress On IGQI Portion of the
Project
Developed Basic Ethanol Model
Currently Building the De-germing Model
– Have Obtained Data Necessary to Evaluate
Quick Germ Process
– Good Progress on Quick Germ Model
Development
– Attempting to Obtain Cost Data on
Mechanical De-germing (Commercial Scale)
– Not Currently Operational On Plant Scale
Issues Encountered
Operating Cost Data From Firms
Experimenting With De-germing Difficult to
Obtain
– Most Efforts Are Experimental
– Few Firms Are Involved
– Data Considered Proprietary
– Confidentiality Agreements Have Frequently
Been Signed By Plants
Issues Encountered
Favorable Ethanol Prices Have Skewed
Industry Interest Toward Investment in
Plant Capacity Rather Than Refining
Processes
– Plant Expansions
– Additional Plants
– Marketing and Transportation Infrastructure
–
Flowchart for a Specialty
Protein Processing System
Corn Germ
Market
Corn Protein
Technology Owner
Specialty
Protein Processor
Agricultural
Market Conditions
Corn
Producer
Supply
Price
Price
Specialty
Protein Market
Price
Supply
Ethanol
Market
Pretreatment
Facility
Supply
Price
Supply
Price
Supply
Supply
Dry Grind
Processor
Supply
Price
Recap. Corn Oil
Market
Price
Supply
Price
DDGS
Market