Liquid phase reforming of rice straw for furfural production

The maximum furfural yield of the sample reaction using xylose solution was 35.19% at 200 °C reaction temperature and 3 wt% hydrochloric acid added. The optimal operation conditions were 60 g/L initial xylose concentration, 150 °C reaction temperature, 0.75 g of Pt/Al2O3, and 5 wt% hydrochloric acid. Rice straw hydrolysate dehydration showed similar results with xylose dehydration. All additives (ethanol, MIPK and Pt/Al2O3) could be recovered and reused. Therefore, the method has promising future industrial applications.