Perspective of dimethyl ether as fuel: Part II- analysis of reactor systems and industrial processes

Validation of a Fixed Bed Reactor Model for Dimethyl Ether Synthesis Using Pilot-Scale Plant Data

“…The fixed bed reactor is another popular type of reactor investigated in recent years due to the ease of operating, maintenance, and modification [30]. Nevertheless, because of the limitation in the thermodynamic and gas-solid interface, the catalyst is sintered and overheated [31]. Many simulation works are studied to enhance the fixed bed reactor performance.…”

Simulation of Reactors under Different Thermal Regimes and Study of the Internal Diffusional Limitation in a Fixed-Bed Reactor for the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from a CO2-Rich Input Mixture and H2

“…However, the addition of an acidic catalyst (γ-Al 2 O 3 , HZSM-5, H-UZM-12, NaHZSM-5) allows dehydration of methanol to DME in the same reactor yielding to the direct synthesis of dimethyl ether. − Feasibility and economic advantages (single reactor, removal of a methanol separation and purification system, shift of the equilibrium of methanol synthesis) have led the researchers to prefer direct synthesis. The in situ conversion of methanol to DME on a hybrid/bifunctional catalyst (a mixture of metallic and acid functions) becomes a driving force to overcome the thermodynamic equilibrium limitation for methanol synthesis. , Several reactor configurations for this direct process have been proposed in the literature. , Since direct synthesis is performed on a hybrid or bifunctional catalyst, several methods of catalyst preparation have been discussed, even concerning the acidity of the dehydration catalyst to avoid the formation of by-products that reduce the selectivity of DME (hydrocarbons, coke, etc.). The group of Aguayo et al − has studied, discussed, and paid particular attention to the catalyst deactivation and the catalyst regeneration effects during the direct synthesis of DME.…”

“…27,28 Several reactor configurations for this direct process have been proposed in the literature. 29,30 Since direct synthesis is performed on a hybrid or bifunctional catalyst, several methods of catalyst preparation have been discussed, even concerning the acidity of the dehydration catalyst to avoid the formation of by-products that reduce the selectivity of DME (hydrocarbons, coke, etc.). The group of Aguayo et al 31−35 has studied, discussed, and paid particular attention to the catalyst deactivation and the catalyst regeneration effects during the direct synthesis of DME.…”

Modeling the Direct Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether using Artificial Neural Networks

“…In this work, we used ANNs to model the direct synthesis of DME from CO 2 ‐rich synthesis gas over a mixed catalyst bed of commercial CuO/ZnO/Al 2 O 3 (CZA) and γ ‐Al 2 O 3 catalysts at high pressure. DME is of general interest due to its potential for chemical energy storage, making it a promising key compound in power to fuel technologies 15–20. However, the detailed reaction mechanism of this system is still controversial 21.…”