Four ionic liquids were screened using the UNIFAC model in Aspen Plus. At infinite dilution, their selectivities for aromatic/non⁃aromatic mixtures were evaluated, and 1⁃ethyl⁃3⁃methylimidazolium methanesulfonate ([EMIM][MESO3]) was selected as the extractant. A sulfolane⁃based aromatic extraction model and an [EMIM][MESO3]⁃based aromatic extraction model were then established. Sensitivity analysis and orthogonal experiment were used to optimize the process parameters of the two models and determine the optimal operating conditions. The results show that the [EMIM][MESO3]⁃based extraction process provides better separation performance than the sulfolane⁃based process. In terms of energy consumption and economics, compared with the sulfolane⁃based process, the [EMIM][MESO₃]⁃based process reduces cooler and heater energy consumption by 69.58% and 46.38%, respectively. The annual total investment (ΔTIC), annual operating cost (TOC), and annual total cost (ΔTAC) are reduced by 30.15%, 30.08%, and 30.13%, respectively.