Preparation of furfural and reaction kinetics of xylose dehydration to furfural in high-temperature water

Abstract

Factors influencing dehydration of xylose to furfural, such as catalyst and extract agents, were investigated. Results indicated that high-temperature water may substitute for solid and liquid acid as a catalyst, and ethyl butyrate improved furfural yield for the high distribution coefficient. A furfural yield of 75 % was obtained at 200 °C for 3 h in ethyl butyrate/water. The reaction kinetics of xylose dehydration to furfural was investigated and it was found that the reaction order was 0.5, and the activation energy was 68.5 kJ/mol. The rate constant k showed a clear agreement with the Arrhenius law from 160 to 200 °C.