Abstract
Dimethyl ether (DME) is the simplest ether having a chemical formula of CH3OCH3 and a colorless gas at an ambient condition. It is easily liquefied under light pressure because its vapor pressure is about 0.6 MPa at 25°C. Physical and chemical characteristics of DME are very similar to those of LP Gas. Therefore, DME can be distributed and stored by using LP Gas handling technology, which means DME does not need costly LNG tankers or LNG terminal. DME contains neither sulfur nor nitrogen, and its toxicity is very low, similar to LP Gas. Since a DME fueled diesel car emits neither soot nor PM (particle matters), it's a very clean substitute for diesel fuel. For the purpose of producing large quantity DME at low cost, JFE Corporation has been making remarkable progress in a development of direct DME synthesis technology. Based on the technology development, DME Development Company is conducting 100-ton-DME/day (100TPD) Demonstration Project from 2002 through 2006. This Direct DME Synthesis technology will open a new way to economical DME mass production.
