Bio-refinery is a critical infrastructure to facilitate the fullest energy extraction from the pivotal energy resource biomass. Hydrolysis of the most abundant biomass constituent biopolymer cellulose to produce cello-oligomers and glucose is a critical step for the efficient production of various chemicals and fuels. Supercritical water hydrolysis (SCWH) of cellulose has emerged as the promising greener technology for the production of glucose and simple sugars. Glucose production by SCWH enables the process integration or cascading for the production of various biofuels, bioenergy, bio-based chemicals, and various bio-products, necessary for the impeccable success of cellulosic biomass-based bio-refinery. Starting from the unique interaction of cellulose and supercritical water, this minireview provides an insight into the various aspects of the SCWH of cellulose including mechanism, reaction pathways, product distribution, process optimization, and kinetic modelling. The batch reactors are simple reactor configurations for such high pressure and temperature; however, continuous flow reactors are essential for better control over process conditions and for an efficient process. With more understanding of reaction mechanism and product distribution, heat and mass transfer conjugation with reaction rates and design of high-pressure equipment, an efficient completely green process can be developed for cellulose and such biopolymer hydrolysis.

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