Thermodynamics of hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose from 0 to 100 °C: Cellulosic biofuel applications and climate change implications. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Popovic, Marko; Woodfield, Brian F.; Hansen, Lee D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical thermodynamics. Volume 128(2019)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Renewable energy -- Biomass -- Soil organic matter -- Lignocellulose -- Global warming -- Glucose activity coefficient; Thermodynamics -- Periodicals; Thermochemistry -- Periodicals; Thermodynamique -- Périodiques; Thermochimie -- Périodiques; Thermochemistry; Thermodynamics; Periodicals; 541.369
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jct.2018.08.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9614

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Cellulose hydrolysis to aqueous glucose reaction thermodynamic parameters were determined from 0 to 100 °C. The greatest yield of glucose can be achieved at high temperatures. Lignocellulose catabolism by soil microorganisms is in a positive feedback loop with global warming. Aqueous glucose solution activity coefficients are given as a function of temperature and concentration. Glucose solution standard thermodynamic parameters were determined as a function of temperature. Abstract: Hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose is a key reaction in renewable energy from biomass and in mineralization of soil organic matter to CO2 . Conditional thermodynamic parameters, Δhyd G', Δ hyd H', and Δ hyd S', and equilibrium glucose concentrations are reported for the reaction C6 H10 O5 ( cellulose ) + H2 O ( l ) ⇄ C6 H12 O6 ( aq ) as functions of temperature from 0 to 100 °C. Activity coefficients of aqueous glucose solution were determined as a function of temperature. The reaction free energy Δhyd G' becomes more negative as temperature increases, suggesting that producing cellulosic biofuels at higher temperatures will result in higher conversion. Also, cellulose is a major source of carbon in soil and is degraded by soil microorganisms into CO2 and H2 O. Therefore, global warming will make this reaction more rapid, leading to more CO2 and accelerated global warming by a positive feedback.