Bionetics’ Place in the Ethanol Extraction Industry

With the Rheotherm product line of liquid and gas flow meters and flow controllers, Bionetics can provide critical control and feedback measurements for many stages in the ethanol production process. The adaptability of thermal flow meters to a wide range of liquid and gas flow rates and flow media means that all your instruments can be purchased from the same supplier. Bionetics’ ability to conduct custom in-house calibrations ensures the highest accuracy and precision for your process control. Additionally, the new Rheovac DR Drying Monitor, can optimize the grain drying process and save time and energy through improved drying efficiency.

Ethanol Production Process

Bionetics’ sensors can be used throughout the ethanol production process.

• Liquefaction: The liquefaction/saccharification stage can utilize liquid level switches to automate the filling of the tank and a liquid low flow meter or flow controller to maintain a consistent chemical dosing rate or total amount per batch.
• Fermentation: The fermentation stage can be automated and monitored in several ways. Tank liquid level switches can be added to automate filling, gas CO2 flow meters can measure the fermentation rate, and liquid CO2 meters can measure the amount of CO2 delivered to market. Additionally, a flowmeter calibrated for the beer or mash fluid can be used to measure and control the flowrate of produce from the fermentation tank to the distillation column.
• Distillation: The distillation column can be automated with gas flow meters on fuel lines or air ducts.
• Corn Oil Production: Concentrated corn oil flow rate and total amount to market can be measured with a corn oil flow meter
• Dried Distillers Grain Production: DDGs production can be optimized through the use of Bionetics’ new Rheovac DR, a drying monitoring system. The DR measures the concentration and flow rate of water vapor coming out of the drying chamber. As the flow rate lowers, the plant operator can be alerted that the product is dry or if the grains should be mixed.
• Ethanol: Bionetics’ ethanol flow meters can measure the total product sent to market, and allow the adjustment and control of the denaturant flow rate to maintain a constant ratio of ethanol to denaturant.

Bionetics’ products cover a wide range of measurement, control, and automation solutions for the ethanol production industry. Most instruments are also available with C1D1 hazardous environment ratings. Contact Bionetics for more information.