Abstract
The kinetics of inulin hydrolysis reaction to fructose catalyzed by zeolite LZ-M-8 is studied. The investigation covers the reaction temperature range of 100 to 130 degrees C and substrate concentration range of 0.157 to 0.678 gmol dm(-3) (2.82 to 12.2 % wt). In this range the hydrolysis reaction is found to be well represented by first order kinetics due to the extreme selectivity of the zeolite towards inulin hydrolysis as opposed to fructose decomposition. Diffusional effects become quite significant under normal reaction conditions when zeolite in pellet form is used.