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Reactors, Kinetics, and Catalysis
Hydrochloric acid-catalyzed levulinic acid formation from cellulose: data and kinetic model to maximize yields†
Article first published online: 17 MAR 2011
DOI: 10.1002/aic.12556
Copyright © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Additional Information
How to Cite
Shen, J. and Wyman, C. E. (2012), Hydrochloric acid-catalyzed levulinic acid formation from cellulose: data and kinetic model to maximize yields. AIChE J., 58: 236–246. doi: 10.1002/aic.12556
- †
Publication History
- Issue published online: 7 DEC 2011
- Article first published online: 17 MAR 2011
- Accepted manuscript online: 18 JAN 2011 12:01PM EST
- Manuscript Revised: 20 DEC 2010
- Manuscript Received: 11 JUL 2010
Funded by
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
- University of Massachusetts. Grant Number: 09-005334-000
- Center for Environmental Research and Technology of the Bourns College of Engineering (CE-CERT) at the University of California, Riverside (UCR)
- Ford Motor Company
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- cellulose;
- levulinic acid;
- hydrochloric acid;
- kinetics;
- model;
- rate control
Abstract
In this study, the kinetics of the acid catalyzed hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH101) to levulinic (LA) and formic (FA) acids was investigated in a batch reactor over the following range of conditions: 160–200°C, hydrochloric acid concentrations of 0.309–0.927 M (11.3–33.8 g/l), cellulose concentrations of 49.8–149 mM (8.06–24.1 g/l), and residence times of 0–50 min. The maximum LA yield of around 60% of theoretical was achieved for an initial cellulose concentration of 99.6 mM, acid concentration 0.927 M, and 180–200°C. A mathematical model and its analytical solution were developed to predict conversion of cellulose to LA and FA through glucose and hydroxymethyl-2-furfural based on an irreversible pseudo-first order reaction. Rate analysis of each reaction indicated that the rate-controlling step shifted from LA formation initially to HMF formation later. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012