8 Feathers Distillery, a craft spirits producer, successfully tackled a common distillation byproduct issue by using a dewatering centrifugal sifter. Their solution to stillage disposal has helped eliminate extra wastewater treatment fees, reduce solid waste disposal expenses, and created a beneficial resource for local livestock farmers.

 The Stillage Challenge

Known for using locally grown grains and pure well water, 8 Feathers Distillery encountered a hurdle due to their fine milling process. The finely ground grain particles clogged standard filtering systems, making lautering ineffective. They explored various alternatives, including filter presses, screw presses, and chemical treatments, but found them either impractical or too costly.

Ultimately, the team evaluated both rotary screeners and centrifugal sifters. Our centrifugal sifter, developed under our brand Kason, stood out as the most efficient option for their needs. The centrifugal sifter offered high throughput, required minimal maintenance, had a compact footprint, and was easy to clean.

Managing Waste Sustainably

The distillery processes over 3,000 pounds of grain weekly, which yields more than 7,500 pounds of stillage, a water and grain waste mixture. For environmental compliance, wastewater must be free of solids and within an acceptable pH range before being discharged into the municipal system.

Installing the De-watering Centrifugal Sifter

The dewatering centrifugal sifter was installed 8.5 feet above the plant floor, positioned directly above the collection vat for water. The equipment measures 21 inches wide, 33 inches tall, and 75 inches long, including its 3-horsepower motor.

Adding this sifter allowed 8 Feathers to separate grain from water efficiently, making waste management more sustainable and cost-effective. The powerful screening process quickly removed excess liquid from the spent grain, helping to reduce sewer fees and transportation expenses. The dried grain could then be repurposed as animal feed for local farms.

How Does the Separation Process Work?

• The liquid and grain mixture is fed into the centrifugal sifter. 

• The mixture is acidic and must have a pH level closer to water before discharge. 

• Inside the sifter, the mixture enters a horizontal screen cylinder. 

• An auger and rotating paddles move the mixture forward and press it against the screen, speeding up liquid separation. 

• The liquid passes through the screen, then flows into a vat where it is treated with ash to reduce pH before entering the municipal system. 

• Grain solids that do not pass through the screen are collected in a tote. 

• For cleaning, the sifter’s end cover plate opens easily without tools, allowing the screen and paddles to be removed from the cantilevered shaft. 

• Operators backwash the sifter with water, cleaning the pipes and screens in just two or three minutes. 

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in our dewatering centrifugal sifter and want to learn more, speak with our team. We’ll work closely with you to find the best solution for your material processing and operational goals.