200
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
There are several options for DME production. DME can be produced from
a variety of carbon containing sources: natural gas, coal, and biomass. Thus,
it can be viewed as a multisource–multipurpose fuel, as shown in Figure 6.1.
This flexibility gives an advantage in terms of market introduction, as a
variety of applications are possible for introducing DME into the commercial market. The first commercial fuel applications have taken place in the
domestic market in China. In addition, the DME produced from different
sources is interchangeable, given realistic fuel standards.
DME appears to be economically competitive with fossil-based fuels when
formed from coal, stranded natural gas, and waste products from the paper
industry. DME must be handled and transported under a light pressure
(<10 bar) in technology equivalent to that of LPG. DME has low viscosity and
high activity as a solvent, and care must be taken in the selection of seals,
and special DME tolerant fuel pumps need to be further developed for use in
diesel engines. In order to obtain a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, DME needs to be made from biomass. In this case, a reduction on the
order of 80% is attainable.
As with any new technology, the introduction of DME into world markets
faces obstacles having to do with uncertainties, economics, and infra structure concerns. Given the benefits available from its use, and its flexibility as
a fuel, DME is, in the author’s opinion, a very attractive option for future
energy systems and has good chances for taking its place in the world’s
energy market.
References
Basu, A., and J. M. Wainright. 2001. DME as a power generation fuel: Performance in gas
turbines. Presented at Petrotech-2001 conference, Delhi, India.
Beatrice, C., C. Bertoli, N. Del Giacomo, and M. Lazzaro. 1996. An experimental characterization of the formation of pollutants in DI diesel engines burning oxygenated synthetic fuels. Application of powertrain and fuel technologies to meet emissions
standards, 261. London: Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Bowman, F. M., and J. H. Seinfeld. 1995. Atmospheric chemistry of alternative fuels
and reformulated gasoline components. Progress in Energy Combustion Science
21:387–417.
Brook, D. L., C. J. Rallis, N. W. Lane, and C. Dipolat. 1984. Methanol with dimethyl
ether ignition promoter as fuel for compression ignition engines. Proceedings
of the 19th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference. San Francisco,
654–58.
Cheng, A. S., and R. W. Dibble. 1999. Emissions performance of oxygenate-in-diesel
blends and Fisher–Tropsch diesel in a compression ignition engine. SAE 199901-3606.
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
There are several options for DME production. DME can be produced from
a variety of carbon containing sources: natural gas, coal, and biomass. Thus,
it can be viewed as a multisource–multipurpose fuel, as shown in Figure 6.1.
This flexibility gives an advantage in terms of market introduction, as a
variety of applications are possible for introducing DME into the commercial market. The first commercial fuel applications have taken place in the
domestic market in China. In addition, the DME produced from different
sources is interchangeable, given realistic fuel standards.
DME appears to be economically competitive with fossil-based fuels when
formed from coal, stranded natural gas, and waste products from the paper
industry. DME must be handled and transported under a light pressure
(<10 bar) in technology equivalent to that of LPG. DME has low viscosity and
high activity as a solvent, and care must be taken in the selection of seals,
and special DME tolerant fuel pumps need to be further developed for use in
diesel engines. In order to obtain a large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, DME needs to be made from biomass. In this case, a reduction on the
order of 80% is attainable.
As with any new technology, the introduction of DME into world markets
faces obstacles having to do with uncertainties, economics, and infra structure concerns. Given the benefits available from its use, and its flexibility as
a fuel, DME is, in the author’s opinion, a very attractive option for future
energy systems and has good chances for taking its place in the world’s
energy market.
References
Basu, A., and J. M. Wainright. 2001. DME as a power generation fuel: Performance in gas
turbines. Presented at Petrotech-2001 conference, Delhi, India.
Beatrice, C., C. Bertoli, N. Del Giacomo, and M. Lazzaro. 1996. An experimental characterization of the formation of pollutants in DI diesel engines burning oxygenated synthetic fuels. Application of powertrain and fuel technologies to meet emissions
standards, 261. London: Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Bowman, F. M., and J. H. Seinfeld. 1995. Atmospheric chemistry of alternative fuels
and reformulated gasoline components. Progress in Energy Combustion Science
21:387–417.
Brook, D. L., C. J. Rallis, N. W. Lane, and C. Dipolat. 1984. Methanol with dimethyl
ether ignition promoter as fuel for compression ignition engines. Proceedings
of the 19th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference. San Francisco,
654–58.
Cheng, A. S., and R. W. Dibble. 1999. Emissions performance of oxygenate-in-diesel
blends and Fisher–Tropsch diesel in a compression ignition engine. SAE 199901-3606.