Sequential Production of Xylose, Levulinic Acid and Activated Carbon from Pine Wood

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, a sequential production of bioenergy platform intermediates (i. e., xylose and levulinic acid (LA)) and carbon materials from pine wood was developed by a three‐step conversion technology. Firstly, the hemicellulose in pine wood was hydrolyzed, obtaining 12.8 wt% xylose and 68.9 wt% solid products containing cellulose and lignin. Secondly, the solid products were hydrolyzed, obtaining 30.6 wt% LA and 42.0 wt% solid residues containing humins and lignin. Thirdly, the solid residues were used for activated carbon (AC) production through potassium hydrate (KOH) activation followed by pyrolysis from 400–800 oC. An AC obtained at a pyrolysis temperature of 800 oC had a high Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area of 2436 m2/g and pore volume of 0.91 cm3/g, which exhibited an excellent reactive brilliant red X‐3B (RBRX‐3B) adsorption capacity of 892 mg/g. As a case, 1000 g of pine wood finally produced 128 g xylose, 211 g LA and 39 g high‐performance activated carbon.