US4356266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the hydrolysis of starch and fermentable hydrolysates obtained therefrom
Assignee: Equistar Chemicals LP
•
Filing: 1980-08-15
•
Granted: 1982-10-26
•
Expires: 2000-08-15
Abstract
Abstract An aqueous starch slurry is hydrolyzed in sequential liquefication and saccharification steps to provide saccharified starch containing from about 60 to about 80 weight percent of fermentable sugar based on the weight of the original starch present. Further saccharification is carried out either in one or more fermentation vessels wherein conversion of the sugar to ethanol simultaneously takes place or in one or more additional saccharification vessels.
Inventors
- 👤 Werner C. Muller
- 👤 Franklyn D. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:22
CPC Classifications
C; C13; C13K; C13K1/00; C13K1/06; C12; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/14; C12P7/00; C12P7/02; C12P7/04; C12P7/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E50/00; Y02E50/10; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/819
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A process for the hydrolysis of starch to provide an aqueous solution of fermentable sugar which comprises: (a) liquefying an aqueous slurry of starch in the presence of a liquefying agent selected from the group consisting of strong acid and liquefying enzyme to provide sterile liquefied partially hydrolyzed starch; (b) partially saccharifying the liquefied partially hydrolyzed starch in a primary saccharification vessel or vessels in the absence of added starch hydrolysate in the presence of a saccharifying enzyme to provide sterile saccharified starch containing from about 60 to about 80 weight percent of the original starch in the form of fermentable sugar, the remaining portion of the starch being present in the form of partial hydrolysate; and, (c) further saccharifying the partially saccharified starch resulting from step (b) in a secondary vessel or vessels having a total volume of at least V 2 =V 1 (x/y) wherein V 1 is the total volume of the fermentation medium in the primary saccharification vessel or vessels, x is the period of saccharification in the secondary saccharification vessel or vessels and y is the period of saccharification in the primary saccharification vessel or vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A process for the hydrolysis of starch to provide an aqueous solution of fermentable sugar which comprises: (a) liquefying an aqueous slurry of starch in the presence of a liquefying agent selected from the group consisting of strong acid and liquefying enzyme to provide sterile liquefied partially hydrolyzed starch; (b) partially saccharifying the liquefied partially hydrolyzed starch in a primary saccharification vessel or vessels in the absence of added starch hydrolysate in the presence of a saccharifying enzyme to provide sterile saccharified starch containing from about 60 to about 80 weight percent of the original starch in the form of fermentable sugar, the remaining portion of the starch being present in the form of partial hydrolysate; and, (c) further saccharifying the partially saccharified starch resulting from step (b) in a secondary vessel or vessels having a total volume of at least V 2 =V 1 (x/y) wherein V 1 is the total volume of the fermentation medium in the primary saccharification vessel or vessels, x is the period of saccharification in the secondary saccharification vessel or vessels and y is the period of saccharification in the primary saccharification vessel or vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the starch is derived from manioc root.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the hydrogen cyanide generated from the hydrolysis of cyanogenic glucosides during the liquefaction of the starch is substantially eliminated therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the starch contains water soluble protein, fat, sugar, vitamines, and/or minerals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the starch contains water insoluble components which are removed prior to the consumption of the saccharified starch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein strong acid is used exclusively to achieve liquefaction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the strong acid is at least one member of the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 7 wherein ammonia or aqueous ammonia is added to the liquefaction starch to at least partially neutralize the acid and form at least one salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride and ammonium phosphate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the pH of the neutralized liquefied starch is adjusted to from about 4.0 to about 5.0 prior to the addition of saccharifying enzyme.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 9, wherein the pH of the neutralized liquefied starch is adjusted to from about 4.3 to about 4.7 prior to the addition of saccharifying enzyme.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein liquefying enzyme is used exclusively to achieve liquefaction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the pH of the aqueous starch slurry is adjusted to from about 3.0 to about 6.0 prior to, with, or following the addition of liquefying enzyme but before significant liquefaction has occurred.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the pH of the aqueous starch slurry is adjusted to from about 4.0 to about 5.0 prior to, with, or following the addition of liquefying enzyme but before significant liquefaction has occurred.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the pH is adjusted by use of a strong acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the strong acid is selected from the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the liquefying enzyme is alpha-amylase.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 11 wherein only as much liquefying enzyme is added to the aqueous starch slurry prior to initial liquefaction as is necessary to provide a pumpable starch fluid following initial liquefaction, the remaining portion of the liquefying enzyme then being added to further liquefaction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process of claim 17 wherein from about 1/4 to about 1/3 of the total amount of liquefying enzyme is added to the aqueous starch slurry to initiate liquefaction and from about 3/4 to 2/3 of the total amount of liquefying enzyme is added to the initially liquefied starch to further liquefaction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 11, wherein the pH of the liquefied starch is adjusted, if necessary, to form about 4.0 to about 5.0 prior to the addition of saccharifying enzyme.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 19, wherein the pH of the liquefied starch is adjusted, if necessary, to from about 4.3 to about 4.7 prior to the addition of saccharifying enzyme.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein strong acid is first used to accomplish initial liquefaction and liquefying enzyme is subsequently used to further liquefaction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 21 wherein the strong acid is at least one member of the group consisting of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid and the liquefying enzyme is alpha-amylase.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The process of claim 22 wherein ammonia or aqueous ammonia is added to the initially liquefied starch prior to addition of liquefying enzyme to at least partially neutralize the acid and form at least one salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride and ammonium phosphate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the saccharifying enzyme is amyloglucosidase.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the secondary vessel or vessels is one or a series of fermentors wherein conversion of fermentable sugar to ethanol simultaneously with further saccharification of partial hydrolyzate to fermentable sugar takes place.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein fermentation of the fermentable sugar produced in the secondary saccharification vessel or vessels to ethanol takes place in said vessel or vessels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3337414A
Cited
US4132595A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |