Reaction extraction of furfural from pentose solutions in a modified Scheibel column

•The modified Scheibel column is a novel reactor for furfural production.•The modified column enhanced the extraction efficiency compared with batch reactor.•The process parameters were evaluated and found to be significant.•The high furfural yield of 80.5% was achieved in this column.•The two-step technology improved the utilization of biomass and reduced the costs.

Furfural, which is one of the most promising platform chemicals derived from biomass, has the potential for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. However, the current industrial furfural production process relies on relatively old and inefficient technology, which has some problems such as low production yields, environmental pollutions, and lack of biomass comprehensive utilization. The main contribution of this paper is the use of a modified Scheibel column to improve the furfural recovery. Integration of pentose dehydration to furfural and the solvent phase extraction of furfural occurred simultaneously in this column. Compared with the prevailing batch biphasic reactor, the use of this modified column intensified the extraction efficiency as well as the furfural recovery. Process parameters including organic feed flow rate, reaction temperature, and stirring speed were evaluated and turned out to be significant. In order to achieve the optimal operating conditions, the CCD design was used to optimize the process parameters, and the maximum furfural yield of 80.5% was obtained.