Dimethyl Ether: Production, Properties and Uses
Download as PPTX, PDF2 likes1,732 views
The document discusses the production, properties, and applications of dimethyl ether (DME), which originated from a lawnmower experiment in Denmark. DME is non-toxic, offers clean combustion, and serves as a superior alternative to diesel and natural gas, leveraging existing propane infrastructure. Despite its advantages, challenges like pricing and market segmentation remain, while improved technology and supportive policies are crucial for its adoption.
Dimethyl Ether: Production, Properties and Uses
- 1. Dimethyl Ether: Production Properties and Uses Thomas Cheney, Certified Community Energy Manager December 31st, 2017
- 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
- 4. DME Advantages DME is more efficient
- 5. DME Advantages DME has excellent GHG performance
- 6. DME Advantages DME is the real clean diesel Better performance and efficiency than natural gas
- 7. DME Advantages Piggybacks on existing propane infrastructure
- 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
- 10. DME Production Plant in California
- 11. DME Applications Light-Duty Diesel Engines Propane vehicles (Up to 20% DME ) Gas Turbine Fuel Diesel Generators Propane blendstockHeavy-Duty Diesel Engines
- 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)
- 15. Thank you! Dimethyl Ether in the Orion Nebula. Questions?
Editor's Notes
- #3: 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
- #4: 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)
- #5: DME gets more miles per log
- #6: Good GHG performance: Diesel engine efficiency + low life cycle emissions + high production efficiency
- #7: 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
- #8: Some changes due to seals. Can even be blended for thermal application at up ~15-20% volume DME in Liquid Propane Guide
- #9: 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
- #10: 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
- #11: Here is Oberon’s plant in the Imperial Valley, California which converts methanol to DME using a distillation column
- #12: 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
- #13: DME is a key part of many methanol-based hydrocarbon synthesis including Methanol to Olefins
- #14: 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)
- #15: 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
- #16: 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.