Intensified Alternative for Sustainable Gamma-Valerolactone Production from Levulinic Acid

An intensified approach to ?-valerolactone (GVL) production is achieved using a reactive distillation column. Conventional methods require multiple units, leading to high energy consumption, costs, and limited scalability. The proposed technology integrates reaction and separation into a single unit, enhancing process efficiency for biomass-derived chemicals. A multiobjective optimization framework balances economic, environmental, and operational goals, reducing total annual cost (TAC) by 43% and environmental impact (EI99) by 45% compared to conventional processes. Additionally, energy consumption drops by 63%, while GVL production increases by 25%, highlighting the potential of reactive distillation for improved efficiency and sustainability.