ONE -STEP SYNTHESIS OF DIMETHYL ETHER FROM NATURAL GAS

Traditional

2 step process

Syngas -> Methanol

Methanol -> DME

Catalyst

1st Step – Cu based

2nd Step – γ-& Silica-

Alumina

New Technologies

Tennessee Valley Authority

(T.V.A) Reactor

Hexagonal Arrangement

H2/CO = 2

Reactive Distillation

High Purity DME

(Methanol -> DME)

Catalyst on Distillation

Trays

High Conversion

H2/CO = 1

Catalyst

CuO - ZnO - γ Al2O3

1 step process

Syngas -> DME

Innovation Map

Segment Reactors

Syngas Production

Outside Source

Steam Reforming

Fixed Bed

Two-step synthesis

Novel

Biomass

DME Reactor

DME Production

Direct Synthesis

Slurry Bubble Column

Autothermal Reforming 1H2:1CO ratio entering DME reactor

Reverse Water Gas Shift Reac-tor

Energy Source

Nickel based Catalyst

2- Distillation Columns 3 -Distillation Columns

Copper based Catalyst

Single Reactor

Recycle CO2

Purchase CO2

Heat Exchangers

Heat Integration

Our goal: The production of DME as a transportation fuel to replace diesel

Current global DME market worth 6 billion, mostly centered in Asia

Market expected to increase to $11 Billion by 2024

With increasing shift away from traditional fossil fuels, DME demand expected to shoot up in North America

In North America, DME producers are forming partnerships with trucking companies

Synthesis Tree

What is DME?

Dimethyl ether (CH3 – O – CH3)

Also known as methoxymethane

Organic compound

Colourless gas at ambient conditions (25 °C and 1 bar)

Applications

-

Why Choose DME?

Good substitute for diesel fuel

Diesel engines only need slight alterations

High cetane number (55) results in a more thorough combustion:

90% less NOx emissions

Low CO2 compared to standard fuels

Less smoke and particulate emissions

Easily liquefied for transport (5 bar) If released into the atmosphere, easily degrades in the troposphere

Steam Reformer: Methane reacts with steam to form syngas

Reverse Water Gas Shift Reactor: Syngas ratio of H2:CO is adjusted to 1:1

Distillation Column 1: Separates out light gases and most of the CO2

Distillation Column 2: Pure DME is distilled as the product

Membrane Separator: Hydrogen is separated out of the recycle stream

DME Reactor

Multi-tube DME Reactor:

Design: Tennessee Valley Authority reactor

Acts as a self regulating heat exchanger

Hexagonal tube arrangement

Environmental Impact Analysis

Greenfield Production – developed in Langley, BC

Assuming the plant runs for 8,000 hours in a year

80% of stream contents are recycled after the first distillation step

Product Streams

5,600 metric tonnes/year of CO2

1,100 metric tonnes/year of CO

320 metric tonnes/year Hydrogen

95,000 metric tonnes/year DME

DME Production Plant

Economics

Introduction

Market Analysis

Process Group 8 Faisal Anees

Carolyne Tran

Krit Charoenpanon

Sam Bakos

Abhijeet Kamble

Annie Chen

Ralph Boustros

Hazards

Steam Reformer

Oxygen

Methane

Steam

Cooling Separator

Water

Heating Reverse Gas Shift Reactor Cooling Separator

Water

DME Reactor +Cooling

Pressurization De-Pressurization Cooling

DistillationMembrane Separation

Hydrogen

Purge

CO2 Recycle

Pressurization

Cooling Distillation

DME

CO2

CH4 + H2O CO + 3H2

CH4 + 2O2 CO2 + 2H2OCH4 + 1.5O2 CO + 2H2O

CO2 + H2 CO + H2O

CO2 + 3H2 CH3OH + H2O

CO + H2O CO2 + H2

2CH3OH CH3OCH3 + H2O

Reactors and pipes are highly pressurized and cre-

ate dangerous hazard in case of leak or explosion Reactors and furnaces cause stream

temperatures of over 900 C which can

cause damage if not careful

DME, methane, hydrogen and carbon monoxide can

cause dangerous chemical hazards due to explosive na-

ture and toxicity