PDX Ethanol Reactor System
ETHANOL PROCESS DESCRIPTION
The PDX Ethanol Reactor System (PDX ERS) is comprised of multiple banks of PDX reactors in series. In each reactor, steam is injected at supersonic velocity into the process slurry, through an annular nozzle. This patented reactor is designed so that most of the steam's energy is transferred as kinetic energy rather than heat. The slurry is subjected to a vacuum in the reactor, which is then dispersed to operating pressure. The resulting pressure shock wave happens instantaneously as the process slurry flows just a few inches.
ENHANCED STARCH CONVERSION WITH MINIMAL PROCESS LOSSES
The PDX ERS extracts traditionally inaccessible starch through extreme agitation and the shearing impact of the condensation shock wave. This requires less heat and time than conventional cooking. The corn slurry and enzyme mix has then also become more homogenized and intimately dispersed, enabling liquefaction with substantially less alpha amylase enzyme. The disruptive impact of the PDX ERS makes more starch available for conversion to ethanol, helps the alpha amylase work more effectively, reduces residual sugars and starch and enables faster processing times.
