Kinetics of the AlCl3 catalyzed xylan hydrolysis during Methanosolv pulping of beech wood

Abstract

In this work the kinetics of the AlCl₃ catalyzed xylan hydrolysis during Methanosolv pulping of beech wood is investigated in the range of 150 to 170 °C. Herein the focus lies on the maximization of the furfural yield. Therefore the kinetic rate constants of the xylan hydrolysis, the degradation of monomeric sugars to furfural and byproducts and the degradation of furfural are presented. They are compared with literature data. The yield of furfural is limited to about 45% (mol/mol). At lower temperatures the degradation of monomeric sugars to byproducts and at higher temperatures the degradation of furfural is favoured. The catalyst concentration has almost no influence on the selectivity.