Abstract
This paper is about the kinetics of hydrolysis of biomass (
Ailanthus altissima) using an aqueous alkaline-glycerol solution. The study was performed at four temperature levels (438, 458, 478 and 498 K) and for different times (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 hours). The solution concentration was constant (75 g glycerol, 25.0 g water, 10% NaOH and 10.0 g wood chips). After conversion has been determined, the fractional weight loss (
−1/W
0
dW/
dt
) was found to be a function of the amount of wood residue (
f(
W)) and the reaction rate constant (
k). The order of reaction (
n) and activation energy (
E
a) were calculated. The results were, respectively,
1.32×10
−2
s
−1
, 1.16, and 19.5 kJ mol
−1.