An ethanol unit and anaerobic digestion/bio-fertilizer unit are integrated
with a cattle feedlot (or dairy operation), wherein a continuous,
balanced process yields a sanitary, low- to zero-pollution, and
economically efficient production of "clean beef" (or milk), fuel
ethanol, and bio-gas/bio-fertilizer. Fossil fuel consumption is
substantially reduced, even eliminated, and 100% of the cattle waste is
treated in digesters wherein it is converted into medium-BTU gas
(bio-gas), organic fertilizer and bio-compost. The ethanol unit serves
the purposes of ethanol production, grain pretreatment to produce feed
for the cattle:and production of a thin stillage which is fed to the
digesters. The grain is first processed in the ethanol unit, where the
starch portion is converted into ethanol and CO.sub.2. The remaining
portion is separated into the thin stillage and a wet cake which is fed
directly to cattle as a superior ruminant animal ration which displaces
certain traditional feed components, alters the standard starch to
protein ratio, and significantly improves conversion efficiencies and
meat/milk quality.
