Optimization of furfural production from hemicellulose extracted from delignified palm pressed fiber using a two-stage process

This study aims to optimize the conditions for furfural production from hemicellulose extracted from delignified palm pressed fiber (dPPF) via two-stage process: acid hydrolysis followed by dehydration, using response surface methodology (RSM). The extracted hemicellulose contained 80.8% xylose. In order to convert hemicellulose to xylose in the acid hydrolysis step, there were four important parameters consisting of reaction temperature (100-150 degrees C), sulfuric acid concentration (1-10% v/v), ratio of sulfuric acid to hemicellulose (L/S ratio) (10, 9, and 8 v/w), and reaction time (30-120 min). The maximum xylose production (12.58 g/L) was achieved at 125 degrees C, 5.5% sulfuric acid. L/S ratio of 9 mL/g for 30 min with the determination coefficient (R-2) value of 0.90. For the dehydration process, two parameters; reaction temperature (120-160 degrees C) and reaction time (30-150 min), were optimized. The maximum furfural production (8.67 g/L) was achieved at a reaction temperature of 140 degrees C for 90 min with the determination coefficient (R-2) value of 0.93. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.