Abstract

The process design for synthesis of arabitol by hydrogenation of arabinose on a supported ruthenium catalyst is described. Aspen HYSYS software was used to design an arabitol production plant for subsequent generation of hydrogen through aqueous phase reforming (APR). The process design included hydrogen recycling requiring a flash drum and recompression. The total costs of arabitol were estimated to be substantially dependent on the feedstock costs and are closely related to arabinose feed cost. Feasible production of hydrogen using APR requires efficient extraction of hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass and subsequent hydrolysis.