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has anyone done this yet?
how much can 1l of H2SO4 convert?

I ran across this article awhile ago, but I didn't really investigate it.
Disclaimer: I am not a chemist! But I will give it a shot. I'll show my math for the real chemists to critique.

Cellulose is a polymer that has a formula (C6H10O5)n, which would require two hydrogen to saccharify on link. Since H2SO4 is polyprotic you could theoretically get a 1 to 1 ratio. So 18mol/l H2SO4(+ 1/2 O2/mol???) * 1/1L C6H12O5 = 18 moles simple sugar. Since 1 mole C6H12O6 => 2 CO2 + 2 C2H5OH, thats 32 moles of the good stuff. 32mol * 46g/mol = 1472 grams or 3 pounds. So the volume would be: 1472g / 0.8 g/ml == 1840 ml

So assuming %100 efficiency at every stage the theoretical yield is 1.84L of ethanol per 1L of 18mol H2SO4.

Have read it too already a while ago.
But i can't find the strong Sulfuric acid anywhere at a reasonable price. Only thing yet was a 0,5 ltr. bottle at more than 8 euro's...

That's more expensive than Stoli


KJH

LeftLane: This is more feasible for mass production of fuel. You would probably be purchasing this stuff by the barrel or tonne for a lot cheaper. Thats what I would do anyways, it would also require a continuous still. But ethanol fuel doesn't need any stabilization so, fuel storage safety issues aside, it would make sense to do big bulk runs.

Nichevo,
Offcourse you're right.
i'd like to try the process as an experiment. But i don't have the time, capacity nor the money to handle that stuff by the barrel.

KJH