Experimental design and economic analysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural synthesis from fructose in acetone-water system using niobium phosphate as catalyst

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production from fructose was studied by using niobium phosphate as solid acid catalyst. HMF selectivity was optimized in a water-acetone system and compared to a water system. The HMF optimal selectivity for process carried out in the water-acetone system was 62.94%. When the process was performed in water, the HMF selectivity achieved 55.73%. These results were used in a large-scale simulation and economic analysis of the two processes. The higher selectivity of system water-acetone affected the HMF minimum selling price (MSP). The MSP value was 2.21 USD/kg for process performed in water-acetone and 3.05 USD/kg for process in water. In the sensitivity analysis, we have found that in addition to process selectivity, the fructose cost was the most significant factor affecting HMF price.