DME (Dimethyl Ether)
Summary
As DME does not contain sulfur or ash, it does not generate any SOx or particulate matter when combusted. It is a clean fuel of high cetane, has excellent combustion characteristics and extremely low toxicity, which is not believed to contribute to climate change or destroy the ozone layer.
DME as an alternative to LPG and diesel
DME may be stored and handled in a similar manner to LPG, so expectations have grown mainly in Asia for its use as an alternative to LPG and diesel. It is also considered to be an alternative clean energy that can indirectly alleviate the constraint on resources, as it can be made from a wide range of source materials besides natural gas, including coal, heavy oil, biomasses and waste. This is possible because DME is produced from syngas in its production process. DME has already been used commercially in China as a clean fuel, and the production and consumption in 2010 is estimated to be 200 to 300 million tons or more.
Features
TOYO has developed indirect DME production technologies and catalysts by adding the DME synthesis process to the methanol plant. In the indirect method, methanol and DME may be produced together and production can be adjusted to suit market demand, enabling a highly flexible production strategy. Also, the DME plant, which is highly reliable and easy to operate, may become an economic reality as it is underpinned by a large-scale methanol process that has already reached technological maturity.
Projects
TOYO received the order for the world’s first fuel-use DME production plant in 2002 from Lutianhua Group Inc., a leading fertilizer manufacturer located in Sichuan Province in China. The plant started operation in 2003, and has enjoyed smooth operation since that time. After achieving the excellent plant performance, TOYO was awarded the 2nd DME plant of 110,000 t/y from the company. Other than these two DME plants produced from natural gas, TOYO was awarded the 3rd DME plant of 210,000 t/y from Shenhua Ningxia Coal Group Co., Ltd. and the 4th DME plant of 140,000 t/y from Shanxi Lanhua Clean Energy Co., Ltd., these are produced from coal feedstock. All these four DME plants under license by TOYO have been successfully started up and under operation helping to alleviate the energy shortages in the country.
 Lutianhua Group Inc. 110,000 t/y DME Plant |
 Shenhua Ningxia Coal Industry Company Ltd. 210,000 t/y DME Plant |
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