Modeling of percolation process in hemicellulose hydrolysis.

A mathematical model was developed for a percolation reactor in connection with consecutive first-order reactions. The model was designed to simulated acid-catalyzed cellulose or hemicellulose hydrolysis. The modeling process resulted in an analytically derived reactor equation, including mass-transfer effects, which was found to be useful in process desing and reactor optimization. The modedl was verified by experimental data obtained from hemicellulose hydrolysis.