Question

Furfural may be obtained by the acid catalyzed dehydration of 5-carbon sugars (pentoses), particularly xylose.

C5H10O5→C5H4O2, +3 H2O

Estimate the theoretical yield (mass basis) of furfural from hemi-cellulose of a biomass, in m3/metric ton. Assume that the biomass contains 32% of hemicellulose, of which 90% is xylose,on mass basis.Please provide adequate details and procedures to explain your reasoning, assumptions. Furfural (C5H4O2,MW= 96.08 g/mol)

Answer 1

The problem requires simple mass balance. Assuming that 1 metric ton of biomass is fed. In the question as per the data given, we will be able to find out the mass of xylose fed which on divided by the molecular weight of xylose gives the number of moles of xylose fed. Using reaction stoichiometry, we can find moles of furfural formed from which we can find the mass of furfural formed. Now, the density of furfural is taken as 1.16 g/cm3. Using this the volume of furfural formed can be find.