ABSTRACT
The catalyst decomposition of xylose (the principal sugar in hemicellulose) was examined in supercritical water for temperature from 400 to 600°C. Experiments were performed in the absence and presence of three main types of catalysts [alkali catalysts (K2CO3 and KOH) and metal impregnated activated carbons (Ni/AC) and (Ru/AC)] with a reaction time of 1h. Gasification yield reaches maximum values by using K2CO3 and KOH at the highest temperature of 600°C. The highest H2 yield and the highest CH4 yield were obtained by using Ru/AC and Ni/AC, respectively. Acetic acid and 5-methyl furfural were determined as the main aqueous products and reached maximum value by using Ru/AC.
Funding
This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-Project No: 109M284) and Ege University (EBILTEM-Project No: 2010BIL023).