Study of the influence of key process parameters on furfural production

Abstract

The present work reports the influence of key process variables on the furfural formation from leached chestnut-wood chips in a pressurized reactor. Effect of temperature, pressure, type and concentration of the catalyst solution, the steam flow rate or stripping module, the moisture content of the wood particles and geometric characteristics such as size and type of the reactor, particle size and bed height were considered systematically. One stage process was only taken into consideration. Lab-scale and pilot-scale studies were performed. The results from the laboratory non-catalysed experiments were compared with an actual non-catalysed (auto-catalysed) industrial process and experiments on the pilot scale, the latter with 28 % higher furfural yield compared to the others. Application of sulphuric acid as catalyst, in an amount of 0.03-0.05 g (H₂SO₄ 100%)/g d.m. (dry material), enables higher production of furfural at lower temperature and pressure of steam in shorter reaction time. Pilot scale catalysed experiments have revealed very good performance for furfural formation under less severe operating conditions, with maximum furfural yield as much as 88 % of the theoretical value.