As the American Coalition for Ethanol annual conference (The ACE) kicked off last week in Sioux Falls, Fluid Quip Technologies (FQT) announced the successful installation and startup of its DCO Technology™ system at Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co. (CVEC) in Benson, Minnesota.
“We’re happy to announce that after two months into full scale running, they’re averaging over 35% uplift on their corn oil, which is huge,” said FQT Vice President Michael Franko during an interview at The ACE Conference. “And what really excites us about this installation and all of our DCO technologies is they do a mechanical washing of the stillage and clarify thin stillage so you can run your evaps more efficiently. So there’s energy savings opportunities all at the same time while you’re getting oil.”
FQT is a leader in advanced processing and separation solutions for the biofuels industry with its DCO Technology™ for boosting corn oil recovery without the need for recurring expensive chemistry. Leveraging multi-stage stillage washing and thin stillage clarification, the system increases oil yield by optimizing oil separation at multiple points throughout production including recovering oil from backset streams. Designed as a bolt-on to existing facilities, the technology integrates seamlessly with current oil recovery equipment to deliver rapid returns and lasting value.
Franko was on a panel at the conference focused on plant-level innovations that boost operational efficiency and enhance oil recovery – “Advancing Energy Efficiency and Oil Recovery: New Strategies, New Gains” – moderated by Jamey Cline, Christianson PLLP, and joined by Chris Gerken, ICM, Inc., Principal Scientist.
Listen to that panel here:
2025 ACE - Energy Efficiency and Oil Recovery panel (45:58)
Listen to an interview with Franko here:
2025 ACE - Michael Franko, FQT (3:39)