مشخصات پژوهش

In this study, the techno-economic analysis of 5-ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) synthesis from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is conducted. EMF is considered as a biofuel additive due to the significant properties. In the EMF production process, HMF undergoes in the etherification reaction with ethanol in presence of AlCl3, acid catalyst. The optimum reaction conditions (100 °C, autonomous pressure and 5 hours) were chosen to maximize the EMF molar yield (93%) as reported by Liu et al (Liu, B., Zhang, Z., Huang, K. and Fang, Z., "Efficient conversion of carbohydrates into 5-ethoxymethylfurfural in ethanol catalyzed by AlCl3", Fuel, 113, 625-631, 2013). In the process, HMF was completely consumed. On the other hand EMF and non-limiting reactant firstly were separated by a vacuum drum filter and then entered into a distillation column. Economic analysis was performed following the bare module cost method and the minimum selling price for EMF estimated as $7.12/gal ($1.88/l). Sensitivity analyses on minimum EMF selling price were performed and it was found that most significant parameters are EMF yield and HMF feedstock price