Abstract:
A process for producing furfural and levulinic acid from lignocellulose-comprising biomass is disclosed. The biomass is slurried using water and optionally an acid, subjected to hydrolysis, and then subjected to a solid/liquid separation to yield at least an aqueous fraction comprising C5 and C6 sugars and a solid fraction comprising cellulose and lignin. Furfural is obtained by adding an organic solvent to the aqueous fraction, heating at 120-220° C. for a sufficient time to form furfural, cooling, and separating an organic phase comprising at least part of the furfural from an aqueous phase. Levulinic acid is obtained by suspending the solid fraction in water and optionally an acid, heating the suspension to 140-220° C., and separating an aqueous fraction comprising the levulinic acid from a solid fraction.
Abstract:
A process for producing furfural and levulinic acid from lignocellulose-comprising biomass is disclosed. The biomass is slurried using water and optionally an acid, subjected to hydrolysis, and then subjected to a solid/liquid separation to yield at least an aqueous fraction comprising C5 and C6 sugars and a solid fraction comprising cellulose and lignin. Furfural is obtained by adding an organic solvent to the aqueous fraction, heating at 120-220° C. for a sufficient time to form furfural, cooling, and separating an organic phase comprising at least part of the furfural from an aqueous phase. Levulinic acid is obtained by suspending the solid fraction in water and optionally an acid, heating the suspension to 140-220° C., and separating an aqueous fraction comprising the levulinic acid from a solid fraction.