Spring/Summer 2010 - Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products ...

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10 | fapc.biz Dimethyl Ether: A clean alternative fuel, but .. A s new regulations requiring lower engine exhaust emission levels are being implemented in the United States, interests in alternative fuels, new engine designs, and fuel injection systems have conformed to the new rules. Dimethyl ether (DME) has been considered as a clean alternative transportation fuel since mid 1990s. DME is a simple ether that has the same number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in its chemical structure as ethanol. Addition of oxygen containing compounds or “fuel oxygenates” such as DME and ethanol to the petroleum fuels reduces carbon monoxide and ozone levels in the atmosphere. DME is a good fuel oxygenate because of its high oxygen content, 35 percent by weight. DME burns with a visible blue flame and is sometimes referred to as “PRO- ZONE,” “Ice Blue,” or “Blue Fuel.” The physical properties of DME are similar to liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) propane and butane. Since DME is a gas under normal conditions, it needs to be stored in pressurized vessels and handled in a similar manner to LPG. Unlike methane, DME does not require an odorant addition to monitor potential gas leaks from a system because of its natural sweet ether-like odor. Petroleum residues, coal bed methane, coal, natural gas, and biomass are some of the feedstock used for DME production. Although natural gas has been the main feedstock for the last decade, research and development work on DME production from biomass specifically from forest residues is gaining momentum. To produce DME, the feedstock of choice is first gasified to produce syngas, which contains mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas. Then, the conversion of syngas to DME can be carried out in one reactor, which is referred to as “direct process” or DME is a simple ether that has the same number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in its chemical structure as ethanol. through an “indirect process” involving synthesis of methanol from syngas followed by methanol dehydration to produce DME. DME is currently used in production of many chemicals. It is also a popular component in aerosol products such as hairsprays and spray paints, replacing chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-based propellants, which are associated with ozone depletion in the atmosphere. DME is reported to be safe for consumers and employees working in production plants at 1000 parts per million level in the air. DME is a good alternative fuel to replace petroleum diesel because of its high cetane number, fifty-five or higher, soot, sulfur free combustion, and excellent blending properties, which allow blending with LPG and diesel fuel. Richard LeBlanc of Chemrec USA said, “DME offers a very high reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, around 95 percent, compared to conventional diesel fuel, and it can be produced with very high conversion efficiency at relatively moderate capital cost and can be made from a variety of renewable materials.” The BioDME project (www.thenewsmarket.com/volvogroup)initiated and coordinated by Volvo Group and supported by several technology providers including Chemrec, Delphi,
. ETC, Haldor Topsoe, Preem, government agencies, the Swedish Energy Agency, and the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program for Research and Technological Development. This involves development and demonstration of a system would integrate many aspects of advancing DME as a transportation fuel. The integrated system would include fuel production, distribution network, filling stations, and resources for development of new engines or modification of current diesel engines. DME is safe to use as fuel. In this project, Bio-DME will be produced from black liquor, a by-product of paper pulp manufacturing, in a demonstration plant in Sweden. According to a press release by Volvo Trucks in September 2009 (http://pnt.volvo.com/e/get- Pdf.aspx?id=7643), “In 2010, Volvo Trucks will be the first truck manufacturer to start conducting comprehensive field tests involving Bio-DME. Testing is scheduled to run through 2012, and will cover the entire DME chain, from biomass gasification to the development of dedicated additives to experiments using Bio-DME as a fuel in a fleet of 14 trucks under ordinary driving conditions.” In the same press release Mats Franzén, product manager engines at Volvo Trucks said, “Volvo’s DME truck uses a regular D13 engine, which after some modifications to the tank system, injection system, and engine management software, functions perfectly together with the biofuel. Behind the wheel, it’s business as usual. Performance and driving properties are exactly the same as in the diesel variant. The difference and the major benefit with Bio-DME lies in its low carbon dioxide emissions.” fuels of the future By Nurhan Dunford FAPC Oil/Oilseed Specialist nurhan.dunford@okstate.edu DME can be a good alternative fuel to replace petroleum diesel, but it is important to point out DME has a number of disadvantages. In an article published in Fleet- Owner Newsline, a daily e-newsletter written for executives and managers of commercial-trucking fleets, Jim McCandless of Alternative Fuel Technologies said, “Although DME’s energy density is lower than diesel, the overall engine thermal efficiency is the same or higher. DME also costs less than diesel on an equal energy basis; 1.8 gallons of DME will cost less than 1 gallon of diesel, assuming $70/bbl or higher oil price.” He also said, “Fuel’s sootlessness permits the use of very high exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates to lower oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions without having to use after-treatment devices such as particulate traps and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalysts requiring the injection of urea to lower NOx in the exhaust stream. Another positive factor, the fuel injection pressures can be much lower than are currently needed by diesel engines. DME engines need injection pressures of about 6,500 psi, where diesel engines currently require pressures upward of 30,000 psi. The lower pressure requirements greatly simplify the fuel injection equipment.” DME can be a good alternative fuel to replace petroleum diesel, but it is important to point out DME has a number of disadvantages. It has been reported DME is not compatible with many types of plastics and rubbers, which may lead to valve seal failure if engine components are not chosen properly. It also is a concern that DME is significantly more flammable (lower flashpoint temperature and lower auto-ignition temperature) and volatile than petroleum diesel. Additional fuel handling safety measures need be implemented to minimize the potential for fire or explosion before switching to DME from petroleum diesel. DME fuel tank and fuel lines have to be grounded to avert electrostatic charge buildup and a potential spark discharge. Furthermore, DME is a gas stored in liquid form under pressure, which dedicated filling stations need to be installed. References: Troy A. Semelsberger, Rodney L. Borup, Howard L. Greene. Dimethyl ether (DME) as an alternative fuel. Journal of Power Sources. 156 (2006) 497–511. André L. Boehman. Developments in production and utilization of dimethyl ether for fuel applications. Fuel Processing Technology 89 (2008) 1243. http://fleetowner.com/green/archive/dme-alternative-diesel-0904/?smte=wr http://pnt.volvo.com/e/getPdf.aspx?id=7643 http://www.thenewsmarket.com/volvogroup Spring/Summer 2010 | 11
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