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Title:Fouling Rates of Synthetic Thin Stillage
Author(s):Challa, Ravi K.; Rausch, Kent D.; Singh, Vijay; Johnston, David; Engeseth, Nicki J.; Tumbleson, Mike E.
Subject(s):Thin Stillage Fouling Evaporator Corn Ethanol Dry Grind Process
Abstract:Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, ash and fiber in corn thin stillage are involved in evaporator fouling. It is not understood which components increase fouling rates. Costs associated with fouling include labor and equipment needed to clean fouled heat transfer surfaces, increased capital, antifoulant chemicals and production losses. Effects of starch (STA) and glucose (GLU) composition in a synthetic thin stillage fluid on fouling resistance (Rf) were studied. Effects of total solids (TS) content (1 to 10% db) on Rf (m2K/kW) was investigated. Synthetic thin stillage viscosity was measured using a Rapid Visco Analyzer to determine the synthetic thin stillage Reynolds Number (NRe). Fluid flow was turbulent (NRe > 4000) for synthetic thin stillage with 1% TS and was constant, irrespective of STA:GLU ratio. NRe for synthetic thin stillage with 5 and 10% TS and having various starch:glucose (STA:GLU) ratios was laminar (NRe < 2100) and ranged from 500 to 1100. An annular probe was used to measure fouling tendencies of synthetic thin stillage and Rf was found at the end of 10 hr or until the probe temperature reached 170°C. Treatments with 1% TS, 10 hr long and STA:GLU composition varying from 1:9 to 9:1 ratio had Rf range of 0.254 to 0.303 m2K/kW. Synthetic thin stillage with STA only had Rf range of 0.287 to 0.365 m2K/kW. Synthetic thin stillage with 5% TS and GLU only did not foul after 10 hr while 5% TS and STA only reached the maximum probe temperature, 170°C in 4.2 hr and had Rf = 0.264 m2K/kW. Synthetic thin stillage with 10% TS and STA:GLU of 1:9 had Rf = 0.163 m2K/kW at the end of 10 hr but did not reach the maximum probe temperature, 170°C. As STA:GLU increased to 3:7, maximum probe temperature was reached in 4.2 hr with final Rf = 0.264 m2K/kW. Therefore, for 1, 5 and 10% TS, Rf increased mainly because of the starch present in synthetic thin stillage, while glucose had a smaller effect on Rf. Higher concentrations of starch in synthetic thin stillage had shortened the time to reach the maximum probe temperature.
Issue Date:2013-04-02
Publisher:American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Series/Report:2012 Annual meeting
Sustainable Engineering Forum
Poster Session: Sustainability and Sustainable Biorefineries
Genre:Conference Poster
Conference Proceeding (whole)
Publication Status:published or submitted for publication
Peer Reviewed:not peer reviewed
Date Available in IDEALS:2013-04-02

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