Fluid Quip Technologies (FQT) is proud to announce that its cutting-edge technology at the São Martinho Boa Vista unit in Quirinópolis, Goiás, Brazil, has exceeded its projected performance, surpassing both capacity and ethanol output expectations.
The São Martinho facility utilizes FQT’s proprietary corn ethanol technologies, covering all aspects from corn receiving to distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) drying. At the core of this operation are FQT’s innovative systems, including the Low Energy Distillation (LED)™ system and Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) technology. These systems have enabled the plant to achieve one of the lowest steam consumption rates in the bioethanol industry. Additionally, the facility leverages low-pressure steam sourced from the plant’s own cogeneration turbines, further optimizing energy efficiency.
FQT has also incorporated several of its patented technologies at São Martinho, including Selective Grind Technology™, Fiber ByPass™, and the BOS Oil System™. These systems have played a key role in helping São Martinho achieve some of the highest ethanol and distillers corn oil yields in the industry.
John Kwik, Executive Vice President of Fluid Quip Technologies, highlighted the collaborative approach between FQT and São Martinho to optimize performance. “São Martinho recognized the need for a low-pressure, low-energy distillation system due to limitations on steam generation capacity and biomass availability,” Kwik explained. “This required us to implement a distillation system operating at 1.5 bar to produce anhydrous ethanol, which had never been done before. By working closely with the São Martinho team, FQT was able to deliver a solution that met the goals of maximizing ethanol and corn oil yields while significantly reducing energy consumption. This development represents a real breakthrough for the South American ethanol market.”
Agenor Pavan, Chief Operations Officer at São Martinho, praised the efficiency gains from FQT’s design. “The distillation system designed by FQT has allowed us to drastically reduce steam usage, eliminating the need for additional investment in steam generation or biomass procurement. This has enabled us to achieve a plant that incorporates the latest ethanol production technologies for corn, while integrating these innovations with our existing cane ethanol unit. This makes São Martinho one of the most thermally efficient ethanol facilities in the world. We are now achieving ethanol and corn oil yields above our original targets,” said Pavan.
The São Martinho plant is renowned for its high performance and dual production capabilities, generating both cane and corn ethanol. The facility produces approximately 200 million liters of ethanol annually from corn alone. Fluid Quip Technologies provided the technology package, process engineering, procurement of key equipment, startup support, and training for the project, ensuring the successful implementation of this state-of-the-art system.
With its impressive achievements in capacity, yield, and energy efficiency, the São Martinho facility stands as a testament to the effectiveness of FQT’s cutting-edge technology in transforming the bioethanol industry.
