Chemical Conversion of Wood Residues. Part I. Separation and Utilization of Hardwood Hemicelluloses

Hardwood residues are increasing greatly in both hardwood lumber and pulp operations. At the same time much otherwise unproductive land is being covered with widely mixed, difficult-to-use hardwoods. Profitable chemical utilization depends on full use of the three major wood components — hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. This paper deals with methods of processing hemicellulose while leaving the other components in optimum condition. Subjects covered are methods of removing hemicellulose, hydrotropic pulping agents, prehydrolysis, and utilizing the hemicellulose fraction. Information concerning the kinetics and yields of furfural production, coupled with the data on pre-hydrolysis, permits one to make fairly valid estimates of furfural yields that could be expected from hardwoods. Furfural yields of 7.5 percent, based on the weight of the dry wood substance charged, can be expected from hardwoods containing 18 percent pentosan, and the cost of production at these yield levels is about the same as the current market price. The next logical step is a study of the technical problems involved in a small pilot-sized reactor.

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