Recovery and Characterization of Furfural Obtained from Rice Husk

Rice husk is a residue that can be used as raw material to obtain furfural. The samples were previously treated and the analyzes carried out for their characterization yielded the following values: the ash content was \hbox{15.51 $\pm$ 0.06 \%}; the humidity of \hbox{10.42 $\pm$ 0.02 \%} and the density of \hbox{0.08 $\pm$ 0.01 g/mL}. Next, the most suitable experimental conditions for the recovery of the compound of interest were studied. Using the reflux distillation equipment with a \emph{Dean Stark} adapter and a maceration time of \hbox{16 hours}, a yield of \hbox{10.44 $\pm$ 0.01 \%} in accordance with that reported in the literature. Subsequently, by means of the infrared spectroscopy technique, the bands of the main functional groups that make up the structure of furfural were identified. In addition, the boiling point of \hbox{160.2 $\pm$ 0.5 $^{\circ}$C} and the refractive index of \hbox{1.52 $\pm$ 0.01} at 20 $^{\circ}$C were determined, physicochemical parameters that indicate that the extracted product has a high degree of purity.