Modeling and Optimization of the Dilute Sulfuric Acid Treatment on Corn Stover at Low Temperature

Corn stover was hydrolyzed using dilute sulfuric acid at mass fractions of 2, 4, and 6 % over reaction times up to 300 min at 80 °C. The mass concentrations of sugars (xylose and glucose) and degradation product (furfural) were determined and the kinetic parameters of mathematical models for predicting them in the hydrolysates were obtained. According to the models, an optimal condition for hydrolysis was achieved which was 5 % H2SO4 at 80 °C for 240 min and the liquor contained up to 13.21 g L –1 xylose, 5.07 g L glucose and 0.80 g L furfural. The hydrolysates obtained from corn stover can be used to produce hydrogen and methane by anaerobic fermentation process. The models could be used successfully to predict the mass concentrations of xylose, glucose and furfural within 0–300 min under experimental acid mass fractions.