Optimization of Dilute Acid Pretreatment of Paulownia for the Production of Bioethanol by Respond Surface Methodology

Paulownia that is widely distributed in china has the potential for fuel ethanol production because of its relative high cellulose and hemicellulose content and high growth rate. The dilute acid pretreatment hydrolysis process was optimized by developing a respond surface methodology to research the optimum condition of pretreatment. Cellulose conversion ratio and furfural concentration were conducted as the response results of the RSM. The optimal condition of pretreatment is the reaction temperature 145.5 degrees C, the sulfuric acid concentration 1.14% and the residence time 39.3min, the highest cellulose conversion ratio 89.48% was achieved and furfural concentration was smaller than 1g/L. The chemical compositions of untreated paulownia were investigated and their structures were detected by SEM.