2017 Volume 60 Issue 2 Pages 101-109
Quantitative in-situ analysis by mass spectroscopic (MS) method was developed and designed in order to elucidate the decomposition kinetics of glucose under hydrothermal conditions. Briefly, the proposed methodology employed a quadrupole mass analyzer coupled with a tubular batch reactor via custom-built connection fittings. At first, the hydrothermal treatment of glucose was conducted at temperatures ranging from 140 to 220 °C with reaction times between 2.5 min and 20 min. Liquid product obtained after the hydrothermal process was quantitatively analyzed with a mass analyzer and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyzer. The in-situ MS analysis revealed that the decomposition rate of glucose was enhanced at higher temperatures. The results also showed the presence of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and other low-molecular-weight acids whose concentrations increased when the temperature increased to 180 °C and higher. A reaction pathway of glucose was developed, and the reaction rate constants were determined assuming first-order reactions.
