Hydrothermal Pretreament of Rubber Wood for Ethanol Production

Rubber wood is an abundant waste in Thailand, and its proper use is needed. Meanwhile, Thailand is introducing ethanol as vehicle fuel. Thus, production of ethanol from rubber wood is a promising technology in Thailand. Collaboration between Chulalongkorn University and Hiroshima University is made for hydrothermal pretreatment, cellulase treatment, to produce glucose as feedstock of ethanol fermnetaion is conducted. Reaction rate kinetics for the rubber wood hydrothermal pretreatment was studied by changing the treatment time and temperature so that optimal condition for this treatment to maximize the glucose yield was determined. The result of this reaction rate analysis is presented.