The experimental liquid liquid equilibria (LLE) data of the water + ethanol + 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([bmp][Tf2N]) system has been measured at different temperatures in this work. The LLE of the system has been measured at between 283 and 333 K. The UNIQUAC and NRTL models were used to correlate the LLE data and good results were obtained in both cases, however UNIQUAC gave a more accurate correlation. In order to apply the UNIQUAC model the volume and surface parameters for [bmp] [Tf2N] (r, q) were determined. Finally, in order to obtain ethanol from the aqueous mixture, the solvent capability of the ionic liquid was checked and compared with others from the literature. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.