Towards Sustainable Industrial Processes: A Preselection Method for Screening Green Solvents in the 1,3-Butadiene Extractive Distillation Process

João Pedro Gomes, Rodrigo Silva, Clemente Pedro Nunes and Domingos Barbosa ()
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João Pedro Gomes: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Rodrigo Silva: Repsol Polímeros, S.A., 7520-954 Sines, Portugal
Clemente Pedro Nunes: CERENA, Instituto Superior Técnico, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Domingos Barbosa: LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: The transition toward sustainable industrial practices has intensified the search for green solvents. However, their true sustainability often remains unverified due to limited and fragmented evaluation criteria. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a holistic, multi-criteria framework that integrates environmental, health, and safety (EHS) considerations alongside technical and economic factors for solvent selection. The adoption of green solvents plays a crucial role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By implementing these alternatives, industries can reduce pollution, enhance worker safety, and minimize environmental impact, thereby contributing to multiple SDGs. This shift not only supports sustainable economic growth, but also safeguards human and ecological health. Focusing on the 1,3-butadiene extractive distillation process, this research examines the feasibility of replacing hazardous conventional solvents, such as DMF and NMP, with safer and more sustainable alternatives. A structured methodology is employed, incorporating EHS assessments, physicochemical property evaluations, and economic feasibility analyses, with decision-making guided by the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The study identifies propylene carbonate as the most promising alternative, offering high selectivity, favorable physicochemical properties, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, limitations of traditional solvent evaluation methods, such as reliance on infinite dilution selectivity, are discussed, and process-specific assessments that better reflect industrial conditions are presented.

Keywords: sustainable industrial practices; solvent swap; green solvent; holistic framework; 1,3-butadiene; extractive distillation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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