The hydrothermal (pre)treatment of biomass using water as single reaction medium at temperatures below ca. 230o C and autogenous pressure is considered as a �green� method to partially decompose the lignocellulosic structure via solubilization of hemicellulose, thus facilitating the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose towards fermentable C6-sugars, in the bioethanol (2nd generation) production process. The simultaneous use of solid acid catalysts, such as zeolites, superacid solids, sulphonated carbon nanostructures, etc., instead of liquid inorganic acids or alkaline hydroxides, in a combined hydrothermal�catalytic conversion of biomass, can lead to the selective production of furfural (via dehydration of xylose) and HMF (via dehydration of C6-sugars) in the liquid process stream. The remaining solid can be either utilized for the production of bioethanol (after separation of biomass from the catalyst) or can be directly used in biomass fast pyrolysis (BFP) process for the production of pyrolysis oil (bio-oil) with improved composition and properties.

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals by combined hydrothermal – catalytic process using solid acid catalysts

245th National Meeting (2013)

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