Effect of Pretreatment by Sulfuric Acid on Cellulose Decomposition Using the In-Liquid Plasma Method

Abstract

© 2016, Japan Institute of Energy. All rights reserved. Hydrogen energy is the most promising source of sustainable energy under development. The decomposition of cellulose suspension for hydrogen production by using a 27.12 MHz in-liquid plasma was carried out at atmospheric pressure. Various types of reagents, such as 1 mol/dm 3 H 2 SO 4 , 1 mol/dm 3 NaOH and 0.333 mol/dm 3 Na 2 SO 4 , were used and compared as to the rate of gas production. Cellulose dispersed in acid liquids is decomposed indirectly by active radicals by the plasma. The highest hydrogen production rate was obtained by employing 1 mol/dm 3 NaOH. The gasification rate of cellulose suspension was determined from the increase of C atoms in the product gas. When 1 mol/dm 3 NaOH was used, the rate was 7 times greater than that for pure water. It was found that carbon atoms in the product gas is indicative of the decomposition rate of the cellulose suspension.