Furfural production from a pre-hydrolysate generated using aspen and maple chips

摘要

This paper focuses on the production of furfural from a simulated kraft dissolving pulp mill pre-hydrolysate solution that is rich in pentoses. Presently, this stream at the mill is mixed with the black liquor and then burned to recover some of the energy needed for the process. 'However, this pre-hydrolysate would have a higher potential if used as a feedstock for furfural production. This work demonstrates a novel approach to produce furfural in high yields by adding the catalyst only when the desired reaction temperature is reached, and by removing the furfural as soon as it is generated in the reactor. By applying this concept on the pre-hydrolysate, a furfural yield of 76% can be obtained at 240 degrees C and 2.5 kg m(-3) of sulfuric acid. In other approaches where the acid is initially mixed with the pre-hydrolysate, furfural yield varies between 54 and 65% depending on whether furfural is left in the reaction medium or removed as it is formed, respectively.