Isobaric Vapor-Liquid Equilibria for Binary Mixtures of Biomass-Derived γ-Valerolactone + Tetrahydrofuran and 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran

Abstract

2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) can be utilized as a renewable fuel additive, a component of P-fuel, and an alternative solvent for synthesis and catalysis. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) has also been proposed as a blend component and a surfactant additive. Since γ-valerolactone (GVL), which has been identified as a promising renewable platform molecule, can be converted to 2-MeTHF, it could be considered as biomass originated feedstock for its production. In this sense, the corresponding vapor-liquid equilibrium data of these γ-valerolactone containing mixtures is important to model related separation processes. The temperature-dependent vapor pressures of 2-MeTHF and THF were determined and correlated by three-parameter Antoine and Clark-Glew equations. The isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium of 2-MeTHF and GVL was determined at atmospheric (p = 101.3 kPa) and reduced (p = 50.7 kPa) pressures. The vapor-liquid equilibrium of GVL and THF was measured at p = 101.3 kPa. The experimental data were correlated with Wilson, NRTL, and UNIQUAC activity coefficient models, and the results were compared with UNIFAC model calculations. The correlated models were found suitable for representing the VLE data.