Batch mode experiments were conducted to determine the optimum conditi
ons for the highest removal of hemicellulose of sunflower stalks (SFS)
and sunflower heads (SFH) through dilute acid (H2SO4) hydrolysis. The
effects of sulfuric acid concentration, solid concentration, and hydr
olysis time on hemicellulose removal at 100 degrees C were investigate
d and the optimum conditions were determined to be 15 % solid, 2.5 % a
cid in 30 minutes, and 10 % solid, 1 % acid in 10 minutes, for SFS and
SFH respectively.