Determination and correlation of liquid-liquid equilibrium data for the extraction of glycerol carbonate from glycerol using 2-pentanone, cyclohexanone, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone

Glycerol carbonate, a high-value derivative of glycerol, finds extensive applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food industries, as well as in plasticizers and battery electrolytes. This study assessed the feasibility of extracting glycerol carbonate from glycerol using three solvents: 2-pentanone, cyclohexanone, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The extraction performance of these solvents was evaluated through liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) measurements at atmospheric pressure and temperatures of 303.2 K, 313.2 K, and 323.2 K. Although 4-methyl-2-pentanone exhibited high extraction selectivity, the distribution coefficient of glycerol carbonate in it was less than one. Conversely, while cyclohexanone provided a high distribution coefficient, its extraction selectivity was low. In contrast, 2-pentanone demonstrated a relatively balanced extraction selectivity and capacity. The Non-Random Two-Liquid (NRTL) model was used as an activity model in the equilibrium data correlation, and the corresponding binary interaction parameters were estimated. The regressed parameters of the NRTL model successfully reproduced the phase equilibrium trends observed for all systems investigated, facilitating process design and solvent screening for glycerol carbonate extraction from glycerol.