Furfural formation from the pre-hydrolysis liquor of a hardwood kraft-based dissolving pulp production process

► Furfural was produced from the pentose sugar present in the pre-hydrolysis liquor without using external acid. ► Both monophase and biphase experiments were carried out. ► Biphase significantly increased furfural yield. ► Mass balance of furfural production from the pre-hydrolysis liquor was done. ► Xylose, furfural, syringaldehyde were used in model experiment.