VERFAHREN ZUR HYDROLYSE VON ZELLULOSE PFLANZLICHER ROHSTOFFE ZU GLUKOSE UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR DURCHFUEHRUNG DES VERFAHRENS

A process for the hydrolysis of cellulose from vegetable raw materials to glucose, particularly using wood as the raw material, comprises conveying the raw material through a hydrolysis zone in finely comminuted form, the raw material being impregnated with dilute acid and at a sufficiently high hydrolysis temperature. The raw material impregnated with dilute acid is supplied in portions and continuously through the hydrolysis zone where it is heated to a hydrolysis temperature of above 250 DEG C. by means of high pressure steam. This takes place in an extremely short time accompanied by a sudden pressure rise. Apparatus for performing this process comprises a tubular reactor having at least one straight pipe through which can be conveyed an endless piston chain. The pistons of this chain form a leakage gap opposite the inner wall of the pipe and, in each case, two adjacent pistons define a piston chamber. A high pressure steam line is arranged to issue approximately into the center of the pipe.