DME: Clean Diesel from Natural Gas

1. DME: Clean Diesel from Natural Gas Process Reactions DME Benefits Block Flow Diagram for DME Production Dimethyl Ether (DME) Properties DME Safety Economics Team Mentor: Bill Keesom Team members: Alex Magarychev, John Elzaibak, Kamal Tbakhi, Roy Kim Process Flow Diagram for DME Production Thermal efficiency equivalent to diesel fuel Ignition characteristics equivalent to diesel fuel High cetanerating :55 – 60 vs. 40-45 for petroleum-derived diesel) Low boiling point provides fast fuel/air mixing, reduced ignition delay, and excellent cold starting properties Easy to store and distribute (87 psi vs. 300 psi for CNG or cryogenic storage for LNG) Higher energy yield than FT diesel Why DME? Environmental Impact Syngas to Methanol • Opportunity for Natural Gas • Decoupling of Natural Gas and Oil prices • Natural Gas as potential transport fuel • What form to distribute? • CNG ( 300 psi) • LNG (Cryogenic ) • Fisher-Tropsch Diesel • DME ( 87 psi ) • DME is easier to handle (1) 2H2 + CO CH3OH (2) 3H2 + CO2 CH3OH + H2O Methanol to DME (3) 2CH3OH C2H6O + H2O • Clean production process • Ultra low exhaust emissions • No particulate matter (very low NOx, no SOx) • Low CO2 emissions • Low engine noise • High fuel economy • Diesel engines running on 100% DME have demonstrated smoke free combustion • Used for decades in the personal care industry • DME is non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic and virtually non-toxic. • Like other fuels, DME is highly flammable but has proven to be extremely safe when handled properly.