| abstract |
A method of producing levoglucosenone from particulate cellulosic material. The method comprises forming a premix of particulate cellulosic material, water, acid and a polar organic solvent The solvent has a higher boiling point than levoglucosenone. The pre-mix is fed into a pyrolysis reactor, such as a fluidised bed reactor, in which the pre-mix is fluidised by a fluidising gas. The reactor is maintained at a temperature within the range 250°C to 450°C, and gaseous products and char are withdrawn from the pyrolysis reactor. Levoglucosenone and the polar organic solvent are condensed from the gaseous products, produced by the reactor. |