Characterization of products evolved from supercritical water gasification of xylose (principal sugar in hemicellulose)

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Gasification
• hemicellulose
• hydorgen
• supercritical water
• xylose

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).

Additional information

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).