Continuous production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from fructose: a design case study

This paper focuses on the design and optimization of a process for the production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a sugar derived molecule that can be used as a raw material in the production of furan based polymers. We start by reviewing the processes and kinetic mechanisms involved in its synthesis from fructose and then consider a continuous process using solvent extraction based on the semi batch concept proposed by Roman-Leshkov et al. 1 We formulate an optimization problem in order to find the operating conditions that minimize the cost per mol of HMF produced and study the effect of different solvents, fructose prices, capital investment and kinetics on this cost. A systems approach to the production of HMF, focusing on the economics of a process based on the in situ removal of the product by solvent extraction.