Emulsions are defined as a stable dispersion of two immiscible liquids. Emulsions are commonly formed during many industrial processes, occurring when water and oil become mixed together. In ethanol-producing dry mills, corn oil droplets become stabilized within the stillage, thereby making it harder to recover.
Since corn oil plays an important role in the profitability of fuel ethanol facilities, it is very important to find effective ways to maximize its recovery. One way to do this is by using demulsifiers.
Corn Oil Demulsifiers
Corn oil demulsifiers offer ethanol producers an extremely effective method for enhanced corn oil extraction. By improving oil release during the mechanical extraction process, corn oil demulsifiers significantly boost corn oil yields, which translates into increased profits. Not only do they enhance profitability, but corn oil demulsifiers can also improve corn oil quality.
How Do They Work?
Corn oil demulsifiers are feed-grade, surface-active materials that facilitate the breaking of the emulsion between the oil and water components of stillage (aka “syrup”).
Once the demulsifier penetrates the emulsion, it assists the oil droplets by helping them coalesce, thereby forming larger droplets. These bigger droplets are considerably easier to separate and collect via centrifugation, resulting in greater DCO (Distillers Corn Oil) yield. By modifying the surface chemistry within the stillage, oil is more easily released, resulting in increased oil yield.
