Dimethyl Ether (DME) is Simplest Aliphatic Ether, containing only two Carbon Atoms. This Organic Compound has been used in Production.
Dimethyl ether (DME) is the simplest aliphatic ether, containing only two carbon atoms. This organic compound has been used in the production of the methylating agent dimethyl sulfate, and as an aerosol propellant, a coolant and in a number of other applications. Over the past few years, DME has been increasingly viewed as a “clean” and economical alternative fuel for diesel engines, able to achieve high performance and low emissions (CO, NOx and particulate matter) when burned as fuel.
The process
The present analysis discusses an industrial process for the production of DME from natural gas and carbon dioxide (direct method). The process comprises three major sections: (1) production of synthesis gas (syn gas); (2) DME synthesis; and (3) purification .
Syngas production
Natural gas feedstock is treated in zinc oxide beds for removal of sulfur compounds, and in a pre-reformer (fixed-bed-type reactor) that converts higher hydrocarbons contained in the feed gas into a gas rich in methane and hydrogen, to protect the catalysts. Then, the treated gas is fed to a dry reformer, in which the methane reacts catalytically with CO2, generating CO and H2 (syngas). The reformer outlet stream is cooled, compressed and then fed to an absorption column for the separation of unconverted CO2 using a methanol wash.
DME synthesis
The syngas is then fed to a fixed-bed synthesis reactor, in which it is directly converted to DME. Direct synthesis of DME in this way is carried out in the presence of a bifunctional zeolite-based catalyst system (Cu-Zn-Al/ZSM-5 catalyst). The reactor outlet gas mainly consists of DME, methanol, and unconverted hydrogen, CO and CO2.
Purification
The effluent from DME synthesis is cooled, and DME and methanol are separated from the gases by condensation. The separated gas is partially recycled to the DME synthesis stage, with a small purge. The DME-methanol condensate stream is then passed through distillation columns. In the CO2 column, carbon dioxide is removed from the DME and recycled to the dry reforming step. In the DME column, DME product is purified from methanol and directed to storage facilities located outside battery limits. Finally, wastewater is separated in the methanol column and the methanol obtained is recycled to the DME synthesis step.