Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
677574 Biomass and Bioenergy 2012 10 Pages PDF
Abstract

Biotechnological xylitol production can be enhanced if the needed xylose solutions can be obtained from hydrolysis of low-cost lignocellulosic wastes. The hydrolysis of wheat straw to obtain xylose solutions has a double consequence, the elimination of a waste and the generation of a value-added product. The objective of this work was to study the xylose production from wheat straw by sulphuric acid hydrolysis at 130 °C. Several mass fraction of acid (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5%) were evaluated. Kinetic models were developed to explain the variation with time of xylose, glucose, arabinose, furfural, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde and acetic acid in the hydrolysates. Optimal conditions found were a H2SO4 mass fraction of 2% at 130 °C for 29 min, which yielded a solution with xylose, 18.9 kg m−3; glucose, 3.5 kg m−3; arabinose, 3.1 kg m−3; furfural, 0.6 kg m−3; 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde, 0.3 kg m−3 and acetic acid, 2.3 kg m−3. In these conditions, 99% of the hemicelluloses and 11% of the glucan were hydrolysed.

► The acid hydrolysis of wheat straw eliminates a waste. ► The acid hydrolysis also generates a value-added products. ► The objective was to study the sugar production from wheat straw as a pretreatment for ethanol or xylose fermentation. ► Kinetic models were developed to explain the variation with time of sugars and growth inhibitors. ► Optimal conditions found were 2% H2SO4 at 130 °C for 29 min.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemical Engineering Process Chemistry and Technology
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