Hydrolysis Rate of Soluble Glucose-Polymer in Dilute Sulfuric Acid

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find the optimum condition of post-hydrolysis in the wood saccharification process with concentrated sulfuric acid. The hydrolysis of the glucose-polymer which is formed by the degradation of cellulose dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid and is soluble in dilute sulfuric acid has been measured. The hydrolysis of soluble glucose-polymer is of the first-order in sulfuric acid concentrations ranging from 5 to 40% at temperatures within the range of 87 to 130°C. The reaction constant is expressed by the following empirical equation as a function of the acidity function of sulfuric acid (C) and temperature (T°K):
k=1.61×10¹⁵exp[-1.46C-{28400/(RT)}].