Process design, optimization and intensification for the efficient purification of the green solvent cyclopentyl methyl ether

Cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) is a new type of solvent with high stability and low toxicity. It can replace many harmful solvents in extraction, crystallization, and polymerization. This study solved the problem of difficult purification in the synthesis process of CPME through an energy-saving process of extraction distillation using optimization with multi-objectives. First, the entrainers were screened by the difference in relative volatility of components under different entrainers, and the applicability of the entrainers was verified by COSMOSAC model and quantum chemical analysis. Then, using optimization with multi-objectives based on NSGA-II, the ideal process parameters under various entrainers were identified. The outcomes demonstrated that the mixed entrainer was not suitable for separating cyclopentene (CPEN)/CPME/methanol (MeOH) mixtures, and 1,2-propanediol had better separation performance. The process was strengthened by heat pumps and heat integration, which improved the performance and competitiveness of the process. Finally, we analyzed various processes using economic, energy consumption, environmental, and exergy analyses. Heat integration and heat pump extraction technology effectively improved the process's energy utilization rate, economic benefits, and environmental protection. This work greatly influences the recovery of CPEN and MeOH as well as the separation of high-purity CPME.