Liquefied Petroleum Methoxymethane Dimethyl Ether Dme Gas Available Fuel

Product Introduction

Methoxymethane (DME), commonly known as methyl ethre (CH3OCH3), is the simplest fatty and an important downstream product of methanol. As a clean chemical, Methoxymethane has many unique uses in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, fuels, pesticides, and chemicals. It is an important chemical raw material and can be used as a propellant, refrigerant, and foaming agent for aerosols; high concentrations of Methoxymethane can be used as an anesthetic; it can also replace LPG and diesel as a new fuel. The main use of ddme at present is as a propellant for aerosols. Many foreign countries are developing Methoxymethane to replace chlorofluorocarbons as a refrigerant and foaming agent; developing and utilizing as a foaming agent for polyethylene, polyurethane, and thermoplastic polyester foams. A mixture of Methoxymethane and methanol in a certain proportion is an ideal liquid fuel and can be used as a substitute for city gas and liquefied gas. dme can also be used as a gasoline additive to produce unleaded gasoline. Therefore, the research on the production method and application field of it has become a development topic that is highly valued at home and abroad. The sources of dme raw materials are also very wide. It can be produced from petroleum, natural gas, coal and biomass (such as rice straw, sorghum stalks, rice bran and other organic substances).

Production methods and progress

DME was first produced by distillation of by-products in high-pressure methanol production. With the advancement of methanol synthesis technology, industrial production technologies for methanol dehydration and synthesis gas synthesis have developed rapidly. According to different reactors, synthesis gas synthesis of DME is divided into two forms: fixed bed reactor and slurry bed reactor. For many synthetic process routes, there are advantages and disadvantages to varying degrees. We should accept its advantages, improve its shortcomings, and use it better and more effectively in industrial production. `1.1 Methanol liquid phase dehydration method The traditional DME production method is to use methanol as raw material, and generate methyl sulfate under the catalytic action of concentrated sulfuric acid, and methyl hydrogen sulfate reacts with methanol to generate DME. Methanol dehydration to DME first used concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst, and the reaction was carried out in the liquid phase, while generating by-products such as CO, CO2, H2, CH2, and C2H2. It is reported that the dehydration catalytic reaction of methanol in liquid mixed acid [sulfuric acid (93%-98%) and phosphoric acid (85%)1 will change the azeotropic phenomenon of single sulfuric acid dehydration catalysis, so that water can be removed evenly and production can be carried out continuously, thus solving the problems of difficult removal of reaction water and serious carbonization. The improved method of methanol liquid phase dehydration to produce DME has the characteristics of low reaction temperature, high conversion rate, high selectivity, low equipment corrosion, low pollution, short production process, low equipment investment and low production cost.

Specification Parameters (Technical Data Table)

Introduction 

 DME is an organic compound with a chemical formula of C2H6O. It is a homologue of methyl ethre and has the characteristics of being colorless, flammable and gaseous. Due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, DME has a wide range of application prospects in modern industry. This article will discuss in detail the uses, properties and production methods  .

Physical and chemical properties  

DME is a colorless gas with a slight  aroma at room temperature and pressure. Its boiling point is -24.9℃, melting point is -141.5℃, and density is 1.59 kg/m³. IT has a polar molecular structure and low solubility, but it is miscible with most organic solvents. Its chemical properties are relatively stable and it is not easy to react with acids and alkalis, but it can undergo combustion and oxidation reactions at high temperatures or in the presence of catalysts to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Production method  

Methanol dehydration method

Methanol dehydration method is one of the main methods for producing . This method uses methanol to undergo a dehydration reaction under the action of a catalyst (such as γ-alumina, ion exchange resin, etc.) to produce DME. The reaction equation is: 2CH3OH → CH3OCH3 + H2O. This method has a simple process and low cost, and is currently the mainstream technology for industrial production of DME.

Synthesis gas production method

The synthesis gas production method uses synthesis gas (a mixture of CO and H2) as a raw material to prepare DME through a one-step or two-step method. The one-step method refers to the direct generation of DME from synthesis gas under the action of a catalyst, and the reaction equation is: 2CO + 4H2 → CH3OCH3 + H2O. The two-stage method refers to first converting synthesis gas into methanol, and then dehydrating methanol to produce dimethyl ethre. This method has the advantages of a wide range of raw material sources and high production efficiency.

Market prospects of DME

With the growth of global energy demand and the improvement of environmental protection awareness, DME, as a clean energy and important chemical raw material, has shown a rapid growth trend in market demand. Especially in China, the dimethyl ethre industry has received strong support from the government and has huge market potential in the future. With the continuous improvement of production technology and the continuous expansion of application fields, the economic and social benefits of dimethyl ethre will be further improved.

Conclusion

Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, dimethyl ethre has a wide range of applications in fuel, refrigerant, foaming agent and chemical raw materials. Methanol dehydration method and synthesis gas preparation method are the main production methods, and DME has broad market prospects. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology and the continuous expansion of application scope, DME is expected to play a more important role in modern industry and promote the sustainable development of economy and environment.