Two-stage steam pretreatment of willow for increased pentose yield
A two-stage procedure for pretreatment of fast-growing willow with steam has been investigated. The first stage was performed at temperatures in the range 180°C to 220°C for times between 6 and 10 minutes while the second stage was performed at 220°C for 10 minutes. The fibrous material was washed between the two stages to remove the pentosans and thus increase the pentose yield. The pretreatment