Process for the production of furfural from lignosulphonate waste liquor

Abstract

A process for the production of furfural from lignosulphonate waste liquor which contains pentose is described, the process essentially comprising the maintenance of a boiling condition of the liquor at predetermined pressures for a sufficient time to convert the pentose to furfural and for the furfural produced to be removed without reacting with pentose, lignosulphonate or itself. Hot air or some other gas under pressure or hot mercury may be used to maintain the boiling of the liquor to ensure that the furfural produced transfers from the liquid to the gas phase and is transported from the reactor in the gas stream. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes a columnar reactor (4) with means (8) to control the pressure, an inlet for preheated liquor, an inlet for hot air under pressure at a low level, an outlet for spent liquor and an outlet for the gaseous phase, from which the furfural is recovered.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.