Dimethyl ether (DME) is currently used as propellant of spray can, while it could be a clean and economical alternative fuel if it is produced in a large quantity at low cost.
The properties of DME are similar to those of LPG and it can be used for various sectors; household, transportation, power generation, etc.
DME direct synthesis technology, synthesize DME directly from synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide), not via the conventional methanol dehydration process, has been developed by JFE Holdings Co., Ltd. as a large scale, at low cost DME production method.
The 100 tons/day DME direct synthesis demonstration plant project, subsidized by METI Japan, is being carried out by DME development Co., Ltd. from 2002 to validate newly developed DME direct synthesis technology to apply DME commercial production.
The demonstration plant has been completed in November 2003 and plant operation is now in progress, and will continue till mid 2006.
In this paper, feature of newly developed DME direct synthesis technology, results of the first stage plant operation, and belief results of a feasibility study about DME commercial production from natural gas are described.
