Alkaline thermochemical degradation of cellulose to organic acids
- ed.
Cellulose can be degraded entirely to water-soluble products in aqueous, alkaline solutions. The degradation process is described reasonably well by second-order kinetics, with the hydroxide ion concentration determined by the stoichiometry of cellulose conversion to organic acids. Formic, acetic, glycolic, and lactic acids are major products of alkaline cellulose degradation. Maximum total yield found was approximately 40% based on starting weight of celluose with 4% NaOH at 280 degrees C for 10 min. At 360 degrees C, the formic, glycolic, and lactic acid yields were significantly reduced, acetic acid yield increased, and ethanol, propanol, acetone, and 2-butanone appeared as new degradation products.
- Research Organization:
- Western Regional Research Center, Albany, CA
- OSTI ID:
- 6315915
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-840509-
- Journal Information:
- Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States), Journal Name: Biotechnol. Bioeng. Symp.; (United States) Vol. 16:14; ISSN BIBSB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The degradation of cellulose in the near field of a radioactive waste repository
Degradation of cellulosic biomass and its subsequent utilization for the production of chemical feedstocks. Progress report, December 1, 1978-February 28, 1979
Related Subjects
090222* -- Alcohol Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ACETIC ACID
ACETONE
ALCOHOLS
ALKALINE HYDROLYSIS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
ETHANOL
FORMIC ACID
GLYCOLIC ACID
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXY ACIDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KETONES
KINETICS
LACTIC ACID
LYSIS
MIXTURES
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYSACCHARIDES
PROPANOLS
REACTION KINETICS
SACCHARIDES
SOLUTIONS
SOLVOLYSIS
STOICHIOMETRY
SYNTHESIS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES