About DME (DIMETHYL ETHER), A Strategic material for future clean fuel and an essential matter for petrochemical downstream industries, by Ali Dabiran

Introducing Dimethyl Ether: DME or Methoxymethane with the chemical formula of ch3-o-ch3, is the simplest Aliphatic ether which has been registered by Alexander Williamson. DME burns with a blue color and contrary to methane, doesn't require an indicator, because it has a sweet and Ether-like odor. This matter has a simple structure in the form of two methyl groups connected to oxygen. and is generally obtained by substituting a methyl group instead of hydrogen attached to oxygen in methanol (CH3OH). Its normal boiling point is -25 degrees Celsius and at ambient temperature its saturated vapor pressure is 1.6 atmospheres. And according to its ambient vapor pressure, it can easily be liquidized at 5-6 bar pressure. And for high rate of thermal energy, it has been considered as a new source of energy.

Advantages and applications of dimethyl ether:

Dimethyl ether is completely compatible with the environment, it is nowadays used in spray capsules substances that are used in contact with the human body. Its half-life in the earth's atmosphere is one day, and it completely decomposes in the troposphere, so it is harmless to the ozone layer of the earth's atmosphere. It is relatively ineffective to chemical reactions, non-corrosive, biologically non-carcinogenic and almost non-toxic, and does not produce organic peroxides in long contact with air.

In terms of cleanliness and cetane index, dimethyl ether is significantly superior to other common fuels such as methane, methanol, propane and diesel fuel. Due to the high solubility coefficient, this substance acts as a solvent in the formulation of aerosols. This feature is especially valuable in the formulation of aerosols that have components with low solubility. Also, due to the destructive effects of CFC compounds on the ozone layer, dimethyl ether can be a good substitute for these compounds. Therefore, DME has been used as an alternative to CFC in refrigeration cycles. Applications such as use of DME in fuel cells and the production of light dolphins have also been recently proposed.

DME is used as a useful precursor for the synthesis of organic compounds. For example, dimethyl sulfate can be made by using dimethyl ether and sulfur trioxide. Dimethyl ether can be converted into acetic acid in the Monsanto process. The Monsanto process is an industrial method for the synthesis of acetic acid using the catalytic carbonylation of methanol.

DME is a useful extraction agent as a laboratory reagent and solvent because it has a low boiling point and is easily separated from the reaction mixture. A mixture of dimethyl ether and propane is used to treat warts.

DME is used in hair spray, glues, blowing agent in polymer foams and insulators, microwaves and humective along with ammonia, carbon dioxide, butane and propane. Dimethyl ether is used as a substitute for propane in liquid fuel, methanol, diesel and gasoline because it emits very little soot and because of being non-toxic. DME is also used in power plant fuel, cell fuel, vehicle fuel, electricity generation and heating and cooking.

Production Process:

Dimethyl ether can be produced using two different methods from raw materials containing methane such as natural gas, coal, oil, biomass, etc. The first method, which is currently the most popular, is the indirect synthesis method of DME. This method at first, converts the raw material (for example, natural gas) into synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, and then, in the presence of a catalyst, this gas is converted into methanol. Then the obtained methanol is dehydrated to obtain DME in the presence of another catalyst. This method is indirect because it is a two-step process, first it involves the production of methanol and then DME. The second method is the direct synthesis method of DME. By using this method, DME is produced from synthesis gas directly, without the intermediary stage of methanol production. This method increases the speed of converting synthesis gas to DME compared to what is obtained using the indirect method. The cost of DME is also lower than the indirect method due to the simpler design of the reactor using the direct method.

A review of past research on dimethyl ether:

The method of industrial production of dimethyl ether is through dehydration from methanol in an adiabatic flow reactor. The following researches have been carried out in the field of simulation of adiabatic flow reactors. But in 1996, a general solution was presented using the Newton-Raphson method to solve nonlinear partial differential equations for flow reactors with axial mixing in both isothermal and adiabatic states. Creswell and Paterson in 1970 presented a model for a strongly exothermic gas-solid reaction system in one dimension and obtained the answer analytically. In 1970, Stanek and Shaklee investigated the effect of pressure drop and gas flow rate on the function of adiabatic flow reactors. Krantz and Hoches in 1973 presented a model for adiabatic flow reactors that includes all interparticle and interphase effects plus the effect of axial diffusion. In 1980, Ziegler investigated the effect of the momentum transfer phenomenon on the percentage of an adiabatic reactor conversion. In 1980, Rao et al solved the equations using the combined finite element method, considering the modeling equations of the flooded reactor as a boundary condition problem. In 1996, slamlowian et al simulated the methanol flow reactor in a stable state, in a one-dimensional and two-dimensional heterogeneous form. In 1999, Balakothaya investigated the non-uniformity of temperature and density in an adiabatic flow reactor in two dimensions, length and radius. In the review of articles, no case of modeling and simulation of dimethyl ether reactor was found. The synthetic of dimethyl ether production reactions can be divided into two categories: the synthetic of the dehydration process from methanol and the synthetic of the dimethyl ether production process from gas synthesis. The synthetic of the dehydration reaction from methanol using acid catalysis has been extensively investigated by Kosice and Schneider in 1982, and different rate equations have been presented. Berchiche and Luke in 1992 presented a synthetic equation based on the Langmuir Hinshelwood mechanism and considering the surface reaction with the separation of methanol surface absorption. In 2004, Lewin considered the synthetic equation in a normal form and obtained its parameters.

Investment for this project:

Considering the current state of the world market, and the economic growth of this material in the last ten years and the capacity of the world market for this project, this material has a very suitable position for investment. Its profitability is up to 60% IR and the return on investment is 2 to 3 years.

For the construction of a petrochemical plant, with a capacity of one million tons per year, with four different methods and DME intelligent engineering holding, by providing the necessary standards for the sale of dimethyl ether products in other countries, with a 25% reduction/increase coefficient of Fixed/circulating investment, with 60% IR (approximate), in 2 to 3 working years, the amount of 600 million euros is required.

It should be noted that our engineering group has simulated this factory through different methods (production from natural gas, production from methanol, production from coal and production from waste).

Currently, rare companies have the technology to produce this material. And there is a high capacity to sell this material in the world market.

I dare to say that this substance is one of the strategic substances in the future of the world as a clean fuel. And it should be kept in mind that this material as a catalyst in downstream petrochemical industries such as propylene, light and heavy polyethylene, polyester resin, rubber plants, refrigeration plants, etc. can be very effective in reducing fixed investment.

Ali Dabiran, as the project manager of this project, with 10 years of experience in upstream petrochemical management, declares his readiness to cooperate with investors who wish to invest in this project.

By Ali Dabiran :(Project designer manager)
Designer of the dimethyl ether project
Email: mr.ali.dabiran@gmali.com
Web: https://alidabiranofficial.com/

Contact Name: Ali Dabiran

E-Mail: mr.ali.dabiran@gmali.com

Website: https://alidabiranofficial.com/

Country: Iran

Ali Dabiran is an accomplished chemical engineer specializing in the production of Dimethyl Ether (DME), a promising material for future clean fuel alternatives and a crucial element for petrochemical downstream industries. With more than a decade of experience in upstream petrochemical management, Ali leverages his expertise to provide innovative solutions for DME production, and is known for his strategic planning skills. His extensive research and investment plans have positioned him as a valuable contributor to the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable energy sources worldwide.

This release was published on openPR.