Reaction Kinetics Analysis of Furfural Production from Xylose Dehydration and Analysis of Reactor Material Effects on Kinetic Parameters

Given that non-renewable resources like crude oil are finite and their excessive use has detrimental effects on plants, humans, and the climate, it is essential for society to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources such as biomass and biofuels hold significant potential for our energy future due to their renewable and environmentally friendly nature. Scientists are striving to speed up the natural process of turning plants into fossil fuels by utilizing advanced chemistry to produce biofuel from currently living plants. Furfural has recently gained renewed interest as a promising platform for biofuel and biochemical production. Furfural is a valuable furan aldehyde featuring an aldehyde group and two olefin groups, which makes it highly versatile for numerous industrial applications. However, the traditional industrial methods for producing furfural are inefficient, resulting in low yields and various other drawbacks. To address these issues, extensive efforts have been made to improve furfural production, and this project focuses on one such effort. Data from our collaborator indicates that the yield of furfural is influenced by the material composition of the reactor. Specifically, in the presence of gamma-valerolactone (GVL) as the solvent, leaching from Hastelloy, Inconel, and stainless steel into the reactor solution has been observed. This phenomenon results in varying impacts on furfural yield depending on the type of metal ions present. The underlying mechanisms for these effects are currently unclear. This project aims to investigate why metal ions alter furfural yield. Preliminary findings suggest that metal ions may affect certain rate constants, though it is not yet known which ones. Potential hypotheses include an increase in the magnitude of rate constants related to furfural degradation reactions or a decrease in the rate of furfural production. Additionally, the existence of previously unconsidered rate constants is also being explored. Understanding these interactions is critical for optimizing furfural production processes and improving industrial efficiency.