System and method for improving the corn wet mill and dry mill process

Abstract

This novel corn milling process includes a continuous steeping step, early separation of easy-to-access starch (e.g., starch in the floury endosperm part of a corn kernel), fine milling to secure germ protein without the use of solvents or heat, and performing a phase separation to collect the product of fermentation. The continuous steeping process uses a continuous steeping tank. The steeping liquid, which includes probiotics, flows in from the bottom of the tank in a countercurrent flow. Other features include efficiently producing high purity starch or sugar using the starch in the floury endosperm of the corn kernel, producing alcohols such as ethanol and butanol that can be used as sustainable aviation fuel or feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel, and producing a high protein animal feed product that includes yeast and germ protein without using toxic solvents.