Title
Comparative kinetic analysis of poplar biomass alkaline hydrolysis
Authors
TEMENUZHKA HR. RADOYKOVA GRETA V. RADEVA and SANCHI K. NENKOVA

Received July 6, 2014
Published Volume 50 Issue 2 February
Keywords kinetic analysis, poplar biomass, alkaline treatment, phenol compounds

Abstract
Lignin-based low-molecular phenol compounds produced by alkaline hydrolysis of vegetable biomass – poplar wood and poplar bark – can be used to increase the chemical stability of automobile petrol fuels. The comparative kinetic analysis of alkaline hydrolysis of both types of poplar biomass outlines the effect of the process duration and NaOH concentration on the toluene extract production in the course of the alkaline hydrolysis. The applicability of different kinetic equations describing the process kinetics is verified. The values of the initial and the current rate are calculated. The amount of low-molecular phenol compounds obtained from poplar bark biomass is higher and the relative decrease of the current rate in the course of the process is smaller in spite of the higher lignin content. A kinetic equation, valid for both types of poplar biomass, connecting the desired extent of hydrolysis with the variables of the process is suggested.