DME

PERP/PERP ABSTRACTS 2008
Dimethyl Ether (DME) Technology

and Markets
New DME Applications (e.g., Fuel),
Process Technology & Production Cost
Comparisons - One Step (Haldor Topsoe,
JFE, Kogas), Methanol Dehydration Two
Step & Liquid Phase (Air Products
LPDME) Processes, and Global
Supply/Demand Forecasts.
PERP07/08-S3
December 2008
PERP07/08-S3
Dimethyl Ether (DME) Technology and Markets
December 2008
www.chemsystems.com
The ChemSystems Process Evaluation/Research Planning (PERP) program is recognized globally as

the industry standard source for information relevant to the chemical process and refining industries.
PERP reports are available as a subscription program or on a report by report basis.
Nexant, Inc. (www.nexant.com) is a leading management consultancy to the global energy, chemical, and related industries. For over 38 years,
ChemSystems has helped clients increase business value through assistance in all aspects of business strategy, including business intelligence, project
feasibility and implementation, operational improvement, portfolio planning, and growth through M&A activities. Nexant has its main offices in
San Francisco (California), White Plains (New York), and London (UK), and satellite offices worldwide.
For further information about these reports contact Dr. Jeffrey S. Plotkin, Vice President and Global Director, PERP Program, phone: 1-914-609-0315;
fax: 1-914-609-0399; e-mail: jplotkin@nexant.com; or Heidi Junker Coleman, phone: 1-914-609-0381, e-mail address: hcoleman@nexant.com,
Website: http://www.chemsystems.com.
Copyright by Nexant Inc. 2009. All Rights Reserved.
Dimethyl Ether Technology and Markets

INTRODUCTION
Dimethyl ether (DME), also known as methyl ether, methyl oxide, and wood ether is a colorless
liquid or compressed gas.
DME has historically been used as a propellant in consumer products. DME can be used in a
wide variety of consumer applications, namely personal care (e.g., hairspray, shaving creams,
foams, and antiperspirants), household products, automotive, paints and finishes, food products,
insect control, animal products, and other related applications.
DME is commonly used in organic synthesis as a reaction solvent for systems requiring volatile
polar solvents.
A new and potentially large volume application of DME is as a fuel. Promising fuel applications
include:
LPG Blending and Substitute
Diesel Blending and Substitute
Power Generation
Acetylene Substitute
Recently, China has been blending DME with LPG in significant volumes, and for reasons
discussed later in this report, the Chinese government has been promoting DME blends. Egypt is
also developing a DME project to reduce dependence on LPG imports.
The properties of DME suggest that it could be a substitute for diesel as a transportation fuel,
with the attraction of enhanced environmental performance. Several bodies are actively
researching the use of DME as a substitute for diesel vehicle fuel. The IEA (International
Energy Agency) is co-coordinating research as part of the Implementing Agreement on
Alternative Motor Fuels (IEA/AMF). Among the many organizations involved are automotive
manufacturers such as Volvo, Renault and Peugeot. Volvo has developed a DME fuelled engine
for buses. In Japan, a number of demonstration vehicles and small scale filling stations have
already been built. Early tests by a number of companies have shown promising fuel efficiency
results compared with traditional diesel vehicles. Programs on cars are also being promoted in
North America and Western Europe.
Advantages and disadvantages of these new commercial applications, as well as DME chemistry,
developing process technologies, and economic analysis are discussed in this ChemSystems
PERP report. Brief highlights of some of the topics covered in the report are given below.
www.chemsystems.com
CHEMSYSTEMS PERP PROGRAM

Report Abstract Dimethyl Ether Technology and Markets 07/08-S3
CHEMISTRY
Dimethyl ether is produced in a minimum of two steps. First, hydrocarbons (predominant
feedstock for DME production is natural gas) are converted into synthesis gas, a combination of
carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthesis gas is then converted into DME, either via
methanol (conventional process) or directly in one step (Haldor Topsoe or JFE Holdings).
The predominant feedstock for DME production is natural gas. The different reactions occurring
are:
Reaction
Chemistry
Partial oxidation reforming
CH4 + O2
CO + 2 H2
-36.0
Steam reforming
CH4 + H2O
CO + 3 H2
206.0
Gas/water shift reaction
CO + H2O
CO2 + H2
-40.9
Methanol synthesis
CO + 2 H2
CH3OH
-50.1
CO2 + 3H2
CH3OH + H2O
-50.1
Methanol dehydration
2 CH3OH
CH3
CH3 + H2O
-23.3
DME direct synthesis
4 H2 + 2 CO
CH3
CH3 + H2O
Overall DME synthesis
2 CH4 + O2
CH3
CH3 + H2O
H 298K (kJ/mol)
Q408_00101.0008.4111.cdx
Current commercial synthesis gas technologies include steam methane reforming, partial
oxidation, autothermal reforming, and combined reforming. Technologies under development
include compact reformers and ceramic membranes.
Catalysts
Two step process:
Methanol and shift catalysts are typically copper based. Increasing temperatures rapidly
decrease catalyst activity so that isotherms need to be carefully controlled.
Different types of catalysts are employed for methanol dehydration. Of these, the catalytic
activity of -alumina and silica-alumina catalysts has been investigated more thoroughly than
most.
One step (direct) process:
The direct synthesis of DME (or single step) process requires a dual catalyst system that acts as a
methanol synthesis catalyst and a methanol dehydration catalyst in a single unit.
In the 1990s, Air Products and Chemicals discussed the use of Cu/ZnO/ -Al2O3 shift catalysts as
a single catalyst for single step processes.
Studies of catalysts for direct DME synthesis, in the 2000s, include a patent granted to JFE
Holdings. Other single step catalysts are also under investigation.
www.chemsystems.com

TECHNOLOGY
Section 3 reviews the technical features of commercially available processes offered by the
major licensors of dimethyl ether technology. Features and advantages will be specified for
several Two Step technology process while detailed process descriptions will be given for One
Step and Liquid-Phase dimethyl ether processes.
Two-Step Processes
The only current commercial two step technology process in use for the production of DME is
via fixed bed catalytic dehydration of methanol. Because the process is relatively simple, this
method is commonly used because of the low capital investment required and the availability of
feedstock.
Currently, there are several licensors that offer technology for the production of dimethyl ether
based on a two step process. These include Haldor Topsoe, Lurgi, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical,
Toyo Engineering Corporation, and Uhde. Distinguishing features of the various two step
processes for these licensors will be given in this report.
One-Step (Direct) Processes
Haldor Topsoe has developed a process technology for large scale production of DME via direct
synthesis from natural gas, without having to first produce and purify methanol. A detailed
description is given in section 3.3.1.
In 2002, DME Development Co. (a consortium of ten companies including JFE) started a five
year development project which involves the operation of a demonstration plant. JFE claims that
the results of the test operation proved the process technology and the catalyst performance of
the slurry phase reactor and that the scale-up technology was established. Consequently, JFE is
ready to license the process and supply the catalyst. This process description is given in
section 3.3.2.
Since December 2004, Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) has been involved in a project that
includes the development of a new DME process as well as the research and development of a
high performance catalyst for DME synthesis reaction. Section 3.3.3 describes the Kogas
process technology.
Liquid-Phase Processes
Air Products and Chemicals, as part of its research program with the Department of Energys
Clean Coal Technology and Alternative Fuels programs, has developed a liquid phase methanol
synthesis process, the LPMEOH process. The same basic technology has been used to
develop a one step liquid phase DME from syngas synthesis process, the LPDME process.
www.chemsystems.com

ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL ANALYSIS

Several regions and processes have been considered for the production of dimethyl ether.
Production cost estimates for dimethyl ether, based on natural gas and coal, have been included
in section 5. Furthermore, production cost estimates have been generated for methanol (from
natural gas and coal) since it is the raw material used in the production of dimethyl ether (DME).
The full cost of methanol was used as the basis for the transfer price of methanol for the
production of dimethyl ether. Capital cost for air separation units, gasification, etc., have been
included into the cost estimate of methanol production.
The selected cases are:
Dimethyl ether (Middle East, Methanol Dehydration Two Step Process, Natural Gas)
Nexant,
Inc. Dehydration Two Step Process, Coal)
Dimethyl ether (China,
Methanol
San East,
Francisco
Dimethyl ether (Middle
One Step Process, Natural Gas)
London
Dimethyl ether (China,

One Step Process, Coal)
Tokyo
Bangkok
Dimethyl ether (USGC,

Process, Natural Gas)
NewLPDME
York
Washington
Houston
In developing a cost of production
analysis, utility and labor pricing were taken from Nexants
Phoenix
fieldwork and are representative
of
facilities located in the United States Gulf Coast (USGC),
Madison
Middle East, and China. RawBoulder
material prices are representative of quarter average prices paid by
a large end user for bulk shipments
under contract. Details of Nexants ChemSystems investment
Dusseldorf
estimates are provided in Appendix
Beijing A.
Shanghai
Paris
Section 6 discusses commercial uses, global supply/demand (demand by Asia, and supply from
China, Japan, and Iran).
www.chemsystems.com
www.chemsystems.com


DME

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DME

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

DME

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are some of the major applications of dimethyl ether discussed in the document?

What are some of the major applications of dimethyl ether discussed in the document?

What are some of the major technologies for producing dimethyl ether discussed in the document?

What are some of the major technologies for producing dimethyl ether discussed in the document?

PERP/PERP ABSTRACTS 2008

Dimethyl Ether (DME) Technology

Dimethyl Ether (DME) Technology and Markets

The ChemSystems Process Evaluation/Research Planning (PERP) program is recognized globally as

Dimethyl Ether Technology and Markets

CHEMSYSTEMS PERP PROGRAM

Dimethyl Ether Technology and Markets

Partial oxidation reforming

Gas/water shift reaction

DME direct synthesis

Overall DME synthesis

CHEMSYSTEMS PERP PROGRAM

Dimethyl Ether Technology and Markets

CHEMSYSTEMS PERP PROGRAM

Dimethyl Ether Technology and Markets

ECONOMIC & COMMERCIAL ANALYSIS

Dimethyl ether (China,

Dimethyl ether (USGC,

CHEMSYSTEMS PERP PROGRAM

You might also like