Energy Aspect

DME is highly volatile with a high cetane number

Can produce an overall thermal efficiency similar to diesel fuel

Used as an additive to methanol and diesel fuels because it increases their

combustion efficiency.

Might be utilized as a coolant in refrigeration cycles.(thermal stability

@220oC)
Environmental Aspect
DME is a good substitute to air polluting diesel fuels.

Low concentrations of NOx, due to the lack of C-C bonds.

No aromatic or BTX emissions after combustion.

No SO2 emissions due to the lack of sulphur.

Efficient combustion due to high cetane number.

The most suitable replacement for CFC due to its atmospheric lifetime which is 7
days compared to that of CFC which can be as long as decades.
Economic Aspect
Utilization of existing LPG facilities due to its ability to mix with other
fuels.

The variety of production methods makes it very versatile and easy to

manufacture.

Minimal loses and economical energy and recycling aspects.

Future Potential
Preferred alternative fuel in countries suffering from high air pollution
(China )

Will help major countries reduce the dependence on oil and gas.

At an emerging stage in various countries with sufficient coal deposits

and rising energy deficit.
Global Demand

Figure 2.3: Global DME Demand

Input & Output structure
Direct Methanol Method

MeOH Recycle

MeOH DME
Process

Waste Water
 Table 2.3: The main components used in the process
Components Boiling points Streams

MeOH 64.7C Feed & Recycle

DME -24C Product

H2O 99.98C Waste

2 MeOH DME + H2O

Distillation Columns
Table 4.11: DC1 Condensor Mass Flowrates Table 4.10: DC1 Reboiler Mass Flowrates
Mass flow kg/h Mass flow kg/h
Component Component
To condensor Stream 9 Reflux To reboiler Boilup Stream 10

Methanol Methanol
156.8154 129.65 92.8091 10083.34 6979.03 3432.32
Water Water
0 0 0 5914.5 2316.6 3571.2
DME DME
22321.1221 9136.62 13210.4618 0 0 0
Total Flow Total Flow
22477.9375 9266.27 13303.2709 15997.84 9295.63 7003.52
Total Mass Enthalpy Total Mass Enthalpy (kJ/kg)
(kJ/kg)

-3977 -4393 -4393 -1.01E+04 -7851 -1.14E+04

Calculations
The heat flow is calculated
using the following equation: Distillation Column 1:

QC = -9753235.736 kJ/h QR = 8.07x106 kJ/h

Qtotal = QC + QR
= =


= -1.69x106 kJ/h

Distillation Column 2:

Where : QC = -14023638.37 kJ/h QR = 7.11x105 kJ/h

Q : Heat flow (kJ/h)
Qtotal = QC + QR
H : Mass Enthalpy (kJ/kg)
: Mass flowrate (kg/h) = -1.33 x107 kJ/h
Plant Layout

Figure 7.1: Plant Layout if Emergency Exit of the Plant