Mechanisms and Kinetics of Key Intermediates during Biomass Hydrothermal Decomposition in Hot Compressed Water

Abstract

The study systematically investigates the hydrothermal decomposition mechanisms and kinetics of key intermediates (i.e., glucosyl-fructose and glucosyl-mannose from cellulose, xylose and xylulose from hemicellulose) during biomass decomposition in hot-compressed water using a continuous reactor. Various products during the hydrothermal decomposition of those key intermediates are quantified to understand their primary decomposition mechanisms. The results provide new insights into the fundamental reaction mechanisms of key intermediates during biomass hydrothermal decomposition for producing renewable biofuels and biochemicals.