Dimethyl ether (DME) is the organic compound with the formula CH3OCH3. The simplest ether, it is a colourless gas that is a useful precursor to other organic compounds and an aerosol propellant. Dimethyl ether is also promising as a clean-burning hydrocarbon fuel.

Production

Today, DME is primarily produced by converting hydrocarbons, predominantly sourced from natural gas (and to a lesser extent via gasification of coal), to synthesis gas (syngas). Synthesis gas is then converted into methanol in the presence of catalyst (usually copper-based), with subsequent methanol dehydration in the presence of a different catalyst (for example, silica-alumina) resulting in the production of DME. As described, this is a two-step (indirect synthesis) process that starts with methanol synthesis and ends with DME synthesis (methanol dehydration). The same process can be conducted using organic waste or biomass. Approximately 50,000 tons were produced in 1985 in Western Europe using the methanol dehydration process. Alternatively, DME can be produced through direct synthesis, using a dual catalyst system that permits both methanol synthesis and dehydration in the same process unit, with no methanol isolation and purification, a procedure that, by eliminating the intermediate methanol synthesis stage, the licensors claim promises efficiency advantages and cost benefits.

Both the one-step and two-step processes above are commercially available. Currently, there is more widespread application of the two-step process since it is relatively simple and start-up costs are relatively low. It is worth mentioning that there is a developing one-step liquid-phase process.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Mon Feb 15 11:20:17 2010

Why the boling point of ethanol is much higher than dimethyl ether?
Q. Even dimethy ether is ethanol's isomer. Is it Alcohol vs Carboxyl?
Asked by Kipper - Sun Apr 23 15:49:58 2006 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. The above two answers are correct to some extent. The main reason is alcohols are having an important property called"hydrogen bonding" Alcohol represent as R-OH. The bond formed between O-H...O(This Oxygen is from next Alcohol molecule) is calle Hydrogen bond. R-O-H...O-R and it will go on like this... So inorder to break these bonds you need to supply some more energy interms of heat. In case of ethers, the O is attache to alkyl groups..so no Hydrogen bonding... YOu got it?
Answered by murthy - Mon Apr 24 00:35:42 2006

Consider the following compounds and formulas. (Note: The formulas are written in such a way as to give you an
Q. Consider the following compounds and formulas. (Note: The formulas are written in such a way as to give you an idea of the structure.) ethanol: CH3CH2OH dimethyl ether: CH3OCH3 propane: CH3CH2CH3 The boiling points of these compounds are (in no particular order) -42.1 C, -23 C, and 78.5 C. Match the boiling points to the correct compounds.
Asked by hazel200012000 - Tue Feb 19 20:11:05 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Boiling can be either 30 or 50
Answered by Tommy - Tue Feb 19 20:13:31 2008

Can someone please answer this question on amines and amides?
Q. What would happen when you add amides (eg. acetamide) to an ether (diethylether) and why is it insoluble? {is it to reduce the amide to an amine} Also what would happen if you add HCl and water to an amine (eg triethylamine and n,n-dimethyl amine) ? What would happen when you add an ether (diethyl ether) to an amine??
Asked by Nick_l:9 - Wed Feb 25 11:57:59 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. ether is relatively nonpolar, amide is polar, so they don't mix well. if you add HCl(aq) to amine, the amine will be protonated. the amines will become ammonium cations it is hard to say what happens when you add ether to an amine, it depends on the amine. if the amine contains an N-H bond, it's more soluble than the one that doesn't because of hydrogen bond.
Answered by Carborane - Wed Feb 25 12:27:35 2009

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Dimethyl ether"
Sun Feb 28 14:20:31 2010

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Trading Markets (press release)

A key design feature of this concept will be the use of AFT's advanced high pressure Dimethyl Ether (DME) injection pump modified to pump engine lube oil to ...



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Methanol Enjoys Oversupply Respite - ICIS (subscription) (blog)
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Methanol Enjoys Oversupply Respite

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"But those using methanol for gasoline blending and for producing dimethyl ether (DME) in China - which have become two of the biggest single overall uses ...
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Trading Markets (press release)

... engaged in the design, development and prototype manufacturing of advanced fuel systems for use with a new alternative fuel -- dimethyl ether (DME). ...



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From Google News Search: "Dimethyl ether"
Sun Feb 7 03:26:51 2010

dimethyl ether sm jpg
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Dimethyl ether with translucent MEP

40px Dimethylether chemical structure png
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NKK s DME fueled diesel truck responded well in tests

From Yahoo Image Search: "Dimethyl ether"
Mon Jan 18 13:55:56 2010

 Dimethyl ether fuel cell application status
amsainternational.org
Dimethyl ether fuel cell application status

lqbatteryshop

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:57:23 GM

Separately from direct . dimethyl ether. (DME) fuel cells (DDFC), in DME-fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and DME reforming hydrogen for fuel cell and other research, introduced the DME in the fuel cell in the application status. ...

AFTC
bulletinboardprofiles.com
AFTC

admin

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:54:15 GM

For more than 15 years, Alternative Fuel Technologies and its predecessor companies have been engaged in the design and development of . dimethyl ether. (DME) fuel injection equipment. DME is a clean fuel for diesel engines that will ...

British supermarket chain Sainsbury's to use biomethane in its ...
green.autoblog.com
British supermarket chain Sainsbury's to use biomethane in its ...

Xavier Navarro

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:22:00 GM

For larger vehicles (ships, trains, large trucks) that need diesel fuel, you can react methanol with itself to form . dimethyl ether. (DME), an excellent clean burning diesel fuel. The modifications to run a vehicle on DME are no more ...

From Google Blog Search: "Dimethyl ether"
Tue Feb 16 13:27:38 2010