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Presentation
Characterization of Ultrasonic Treatment of Ethanol Co-Products for Enhanced Biogas Production
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference Proceedings and Presentations
  • Cody John Hearn, Iowa State University
  • David Grewell, Iowa State University
  • Wei Wu-haan, Iowa State University
  • Robert T. Burns, Iowa State University
  • Lara B. Moody, Iowa State University
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Conference
2008 ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Date
6-1-2008
Geolocation
(41.8239891, -71.4128343)
Abstract
This study evaluates the change in particle size of dry-milling corn ethanol co-products by using ultrasonic energy to increase the production of the biogas from the anaerobic digestion of ethanol dry-milling co-products, namely: dried distiller grain with solubles (DDGS), solids, thin stillage, and corn-syrup. The co-product samples were treated with various ultrasonic conditions and compared to non-treated samples (control sample). The ultrasonic amplitude was varied from 52.8 µm pp to 160 µm pp and the sonication time was varied from 10 to 50s. The samples were characterized with scanning electron and optical microscopy (SEM, OM) and particle distribution analysis (PDA). It was found that with solid/liquid suspensions (DDGS, solids), there was a significant decrease in particle size, increasing the surface area to volume ratio, to possibly enhance biogas yield during anaerobic digestion of these materials. In the case of thin stillage and corn syrup, the results were surprising in that an increase in particle size was seen.
Comments

This is an ASABE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 084668.

Copyright Owner
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Language
en
Citation Information
Cody John Hearn, David Grewell, Wei Wu-haan, Robert T. Burns, et al.. "Characterization of Ultrasonic Treatment of Ethanol Co-Products for Enhanced Biogas Production" Providence, RI(2008)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david_grewell/10/