Study of formic acid as an agent for biomass fractionation

Beech, hardwood samples were treated in 80% formic acid solutions under a variety of experimental organosolv pulping conditions. The effects of the main operational variables on the composition and yield of cellulose pulps obtained in treatments have been assessed. The SCAN viscosity of cellulose pulps was measured in order to determine the damage of the cellulose produced during the treatments, and additional data on the composition of liquors from treatments were determined to assess the type and amount of valuable byproducts.