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From the laboratory in 1835 to today: How is dimethyl ether changing our energy future?
Dimethyl ether, with the chemical formula CH3OCH3, is a colorless gas that is not only a precursor of useful organic compounds, but also a Aerosols are now available for a variety of fuel applications. Dimethyl ether was first synthesized in 1835 by French chemists Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugene Périgot, and marked a major milestone in chemical research.
Dimethyl ether is the simplest ether and shows great potential in replacing traditional fuels.
The way DME is produced has evolved over time. In 1985, about 50,000 tons of DME were produced in Western Europe, mostly from the dehydration of methanol. The reaction equation for this process is: 2 CH3OH → (CH3)2O + H2O
As the demand for energy continues to increase, how to produce dimethyl ether more efficiently has become a research focus. Recent studies have also proposed dual-catalyst systems that can simultaneously synthesize methanol and dehydrate in the same process unit, without the need for methanol separation and purification.
Production from biomass
Dimethyl ether (DME), a second-generation synthetic biofuel, can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass. In 2030, the EU considers including BioDME in its potential biofuel portfolio. The technology can also be applied to biogas or methane production from animal, food and agricultural waste. Sweden's Chemrec uses black liquor gasification technology to produce dimethyl ether in its BioDME pilot plant, which demonstrates the diverse possibilities of dimethyl ether in the future.
Dimethyl ether produced from biomass represents an important direction for future sustainable energy.
Multiple Applications
The largest use of dimethyl ether is as a raw material for the production of methylating agents. In the process of producing dimethyl sulfate, dimethyl ether needs to react with sulfur trioxide. With the advancement of technology, dimethyl ether can also be further converted into acetic acid, providing more chemical synthesis options.
In the laboratory, dimethyl ether is used as a low-temperature solvent and extractant, although its low boiling point (−23 °C) limits its uses but also makes it easy to remove from reaction mixtures. It is also a component of the gas mixture for certain high temperature "Map-Pro" flame spray guns, replacing the traditional methylacetylene and propyne mixture.
As a propellant for aerosol products, dimethyl ether is widely used in hair sprays, insecticides and certain spray glue products.
Fuel and Coolant
As demand for cleaner fuels rises, dimethyl ether is being considered as a potential replacement for propane for home and industrial use. It is suitable as a fuel for diesel engines and gas turbines and has a cetane number of 55, making it well suited for use in modern engines. The simple carbon chain structure of dimethyl ether makes it produce extremely low particulate matter emissions when burned.
In the Shell Eco Marathon in Europe, a vehicle using 100% DME successfully became the new record holder with an excellent performance of 589 km/l.
Dimethyl ether is also recognized as a coolant, and it is significant that it is the first coolant, and its application history can be traced back to 1876, when a refrigeration device designed by French engineer Charles Tellier was successfully used. Providing cryogenic preservation capabilities for a merchant ship.
Security and Future Outlook
Although dimethyl ether is relatively non-toxic, its high flammability requires special care when used. In 1948, a massive explosion at a German chemical plant caused by a leak of dimethyl ether killed 200 people, highlighting the potential dangers of handling the chemical.
As an alternative energy source for the future, the development of DME is not only closely related to environmental sustainability, but will also affect our energy strategy.
As global demand for renewable energy continues to rise, could dimethyl ether become a critical component of the energy future?
