Dimethyl Ether is an alternative fuel that can be efficiently produced from a wide range of renewable and non-renewable sources, Dimethyl Ether can be used for heating, power generation and as a clean diesel alternative.
2. It began with a
lawnmower in Denmark
• A scientist from Haldor-Tropsoe took some
Dimethyl Ether home and used it in his lawn mower
and it worked very well
• In fact it would not turn off until the fuel supply
was cut off
• DME Fuel was born
3. Dimethyl Ether Properties
Dimethyl Ether is a compressed liquid
at 0.5 MPa at 25 °C
Non-toxic and handles like propane
Lack of double carbon bonds mean
clean (soot-free) combustion
Good diesel substitute
HC3 CH3
O
DME Molecular Structure
C2H6O
8. Biomass to Syngas
• The biomass-based syngas must under go multiple cleaning steps to
great a syngas suitable for DME production
Biomass
Gasification
Dust
Removal
Tar removal Guardbed
Water Gas
Shift and
CO2
Removal
9. DME Production Process
Mature technology from syngas to DME from fossil sources. Integrating woody
biomass is the challenge
Wood
12. More DME Applications
Solvents and
Petroleum
Refrigerant AerosolPropylene/
Olefins
Hydrogen
Storage
Heating and
cooking Fuel
13. DME Chemical Use
• Aerosol
• Pharmaceuticals
• Solvent as alternative
to steam gravity
drainage oil extraction
• 60-70% reduction on GHG
emissions
14. Conclusion
•Key Enablers:
•Improved Technology
•Policy (Clean Fuel Standard, Carbon
Tax)
•Industry Interest
•Key Challenges
• Offtake
• Pricing
• Market Segmentation
The small stove-sized FT reactor
circled in red has the same capacity
as the large reactor (image Ineratec)
A scientist from Haldor-Tropsoe took some Dimethyl Ether home and used it in his lawn mower and it worked very well
… In it kept going even though the spark-plug was off…
…They finally turned it off by cutting off the fuel supply
DME Fuel was born
Dimethyl Ether is a compressed liquid at 0.5 MPa at 25 °C
(5.1 bar/73 psi)
Isomer of Ethanol
Evaporates if spilled
DME has a high cetane number
55-60 for DME vs 45-50 for diesel
Low octane (RON~10)
DME gets more miles per log
Good GHG performance: Diesel engine efficiency + low life cycle emissions + high production efficiency
DME lacks carbon=carbon bond meaning no soot
Also used compression ignition equipment
Enhanced reliability due to no refill of Ammonia for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) or regeneration of diesel particulate filter
Some changes due to seals.
Can even be blended for thermal application at up ~15-20% volume DME in Liquid Propane Guide
Tar Removal is of course a major process design issue
Advanced gasification treatment.
Usually an H2/CO ratio of 2:1 to 1.5:1 for methanol production, varies depending on process
If it contains carbon it can likely be made into DME
Fossil Feedstocks:
Coal
Natural Gas
Renewable Feedstocks :
Electricity and CO2
biogas
Wood
Two main production processes from syngas
Indirect (via methanol dehydration)
Direct
Here is Oberon’s plant in the Imperial Valley, California which converts methanol to DME using a distillation column
DME has many applications both stationary.
GV Energy and the City of Vancouver tested a combined propane/DME vehicle- propane is needed as DME as low octane
20% propane
DME is a key part of many methanol-based hydrocarbon synthesis including Methanol to Olefins
Aerosol
Personal Care products (e.g. hairsprays)
Electronics manufacturing (blowing agent)
Low Global Warming Potential
Pharmaceuticals
Extraction of medicinal compounds
Wart treatments
Solvent as alternative to steam gravity drainage oil extraction
60-70% reduction on GHG emissions for oil sands crude production (steam assisted gravity drainage
Low loss (Can be reused over and over again)
Can reduce capex and opex
Use conventional oil enhanced oil extraction
Diluent for pipelines being researched (non-toxic)
Key Enablers:
Gasification and gas cleaning technologies have improved
Catalytic system have become greatly downscaled (see image)
High value chemical market builds capacity for emerging fuel market
Policy (Clean Fuel Standard, Carbon Tax)
Volvo and ford interested in DME as a way to “save” diesel technology
Key Challenges
Transport market is early development
Fuelling (chicken vs egg)
Offtake
Ability to segment low-value from high-value markets
Confirming renewable price premium
Did you know?
Dimethyl Ether occurs in the Orion Nebula with other organic compounds, These substances are being used to help understand how life may have began on in the Universe.