Hydrothermolysis of Cellulose Under Static and Dynamic Conditions at High Temperatures

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Abstract
Cellulose (cotton) was hydrolyzed under high temperature conditions without any addition of acidic or alkaline catalysts. Kinetic parameters of this hydrothermal process were established in batch experiments at temperatures ranging from 200 - 300°C. The degradation of cellulose followed a first-order reaction kinetic with an activation energy of 129 kJ mol−1. Relatively small concentrations of monomeric sugars were detected in the reaction solutions due to the rapid decomposition into furfurals under static conditions. In dynamic experiments, cellulose was hydrolyzed at various percolation rates. Several reaction products were analyzed quantitatively. Application of optimized parameters allowed almost complete solubilization of cellulose, with more than 60% of the initial material recovered as sugars.