6.1 Introduction................................................................................................ 167
6.2 Properties of DME ..................................................................................... 168
6.3 DME Production ........................................................................................ 173
6.3.1 Syngas Production ......................................................................... 173
6.3.2 DME/Methanol Production ......................................................... 175
6.3.3 DME Production Economics ........................................................ 182
6.4 DME Applications...................................................................................... 186
6.4.1 Internal Combustion Engine Fuel ............................................... 186
6.4.2 Power Generation and Industrial Burners ................................. 193
6.4.3 Domestic Applications .................................................................. 194
6.4.4 Fuel Cells......................................................................................... 194
6.5 Economic Issues Regarding DME Applications.................................... 195
6.5.1 Internal Combustion Engines ...................................................... 195
6.5.2 Industrial/Gas Turbine ................................................................. 196
6.5.3 Domestic Use .................................................................................. 196
6.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...................................................................... 197
6.7 DME Safety Aspects.................................................................................. 198
6.8 Future Scope ............................................................................................... 199
References............................................................................................................. 200
6
Dimethyl Ether
Spencer C. Sorenson
CONTENTS
6.1 Introduction
Dimethyl ether, also called DME, is one of the newer candidates for replacement of conventional fuels in the transport, energy generation, and domestic
cooking and heating markets. It has been used for many years as an aerosol
propellant. DME in the atmosphere decomposes to CO 2 and water in the
time frame of a day or so and, therefore, does not react with ozone in the
upper atmosphere as fluorocarbons previously used for aerosol propellants
did. It is also attractive in this respect due to its vapor pressure, very low
toxicity, and high activity as a solvent.
Since its presentation as an attractive alternative diesel fuel in 1995
(Fleisch et al. 1995; Hansen et al. 1995, Kapus and Ofner 1995; Sorenson and
167
6.2 Properties of DME ..................................................................................... 168
6.3 DME Production ........................................................................................ 173
6.3.1 Syngas Production ......................................................................... 173
6.3.2 DME/Methanol Production ......................................................... 175
6.3.3 DME Production Economics ........................................................ 182
6.4 DME Applications...................................................................................... 186
6.4.1 Internal Combustion Engine Fuel ............................................... 186
6.4.2 Power Generation and Industrial Burners ................................. 193
6.4.3 Domestic Applications .................................................................. 194
6.4.4 Fuel Cells......................................................................................... 194
6.5 Economic Issues Regarding DME Applications.................................... 195
6.5.1 Internal Combustion Engines ...................................................... 195
6.5.2 Industrial/Gas Turbine ................................................................. 196
6.5.3 Domestic Use .................................................................................. 196
6.6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ...................................................................... 197
6.7 DME Safety Aspects.................................................................................. 198
6.8 Future Scope ............................................................................................... 199
References............................................................................................................. 200
6
Dimethyl Ether
Spencer C. Sorenson
CONTENTS
6.1 Introduction
Dimethyl ether, also called DME, is one of the newer candidates for replacement of conventional fuels in the transport, energy generation, and domestic
cooking and heating markets. It has been used for many years as an aerosol
propellant. DME in the atmosphere decomposes to CO 2 and water in the
time frame of a day or so and, therefore, does not react with ozone in the
upper atmosphere as fluorocarbons previously used for aerosol propellants
did. It is also attractive in this respect due to its vapor pressure, very low
toxicity, and high activity as a solvent.
Since its presentation as an attractive alternative diesel fuel in 1995
(Fleisch et al. 1995; Hansen et al. 1995, Kapus and Ofner 1995; Sorenson and
167