BACKGROUNDThe tetrahydrofuran‐ethanol azeotrope can't be separated by common distillation, but can be effectively separated by extractive distillation. Extractive distillation can be simulated by Aspen Plus software. Minimum annual cost of the process can be calculated to assess ionic liquid separation ability. The interaction energy can be used to explain the separation mechanism.RESULTSThe non‐random two‐liquid model parameters of the ternary mixtures for tetrahydrofuran and ethanol containing tributyl methylammonium acetate or 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate were obtained. Thermodynamic properties databases of tributyl methylammonium acetate, 1‐hexyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium acetate and 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate were established. Based on the thermodynamic model parameters and properties, the sequential iterative method was used to gain the best operating conditions and minimum total annual cost the of extractive distillation process. The interaction energy was calculated to explain the separation mechanism.CONCLUSIONSThe separation performance of tributyl methylammonium acetate is better than that of 1‐hexyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium acetate or 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate. The selection and design of the ILs can be operated by the interaction energy.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.