Pursuit Dynamics

PDX Ethanol Reactor Tower

THE FACTS

Ethanol producers in the US would be able to produce the 2009 forecasted supply of ethanol using 400 million less bushels of corn. This could free up 4,000 square miles of land for other crops or other uses of corn grown on that land.

ETHANOL PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The PDX Ethanol Reactor Tower (PDX ERT) 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 ERT 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 ERT 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.

For further information please email renewables@pursuitdynamics.com